Fernandes gets back Defence

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 15. Brushing aside widespread indignation over the Tehelka-tainted Mr. George Fernandes' return to the Union Government, the Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today inducted the National Democratic Alliance convener into his Cabinet as Minister of Defence. In a mini-expansion, another former Minister, Mr. Harin Pathak, was also inducted as Minister of State for Defence.

The President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, administered the oath of office and secrecy to them at a ceremony in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mr. Vajpayee and most of his senior colleagues attended the ceremony.

Later, a Rashtrapati Bhavan press communique said that on the advice of the Prime Minister, the President ``has directed that Mr. George Fernandes will be allocated the portfolio of Minister of Defence in the Ministry of Defence and Mr. Harin Pathak the portfolio of Minister of State (Defence Production and Supplies) in the Ministry of Defence.''

After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Vajpayee, interacting with newspersons, strongly defended Mr. Fernandes' induction, asserting that there was no charge against the Samata leader in the Tehelka tapes.

He argued that nothing had come out against Mr. Fernandes in the ongoing Venkataswami Commission of Inquiry. However, the Centre would extend full cooperation to the Commission. Mr. Vajpayee made it a point to mention that Mr. Fernandes resigned last March on his own.

Explaining the rationale for Mr. Fernandes's return, the Prime Minister said Defence was an important portfolio and, considering the fast-changing world situation, there was need for a Minister who could devote time in full to this Ministry. Mr. Jaswant Singh, who had a major responsibility as the External Affairs Minister, too had made similar comments.

The Prime Minister said Mr. Fernandes had done a good job as Defence Minister before, during and after 1999 Kargil war and had made a significant contribution to the Ministry.

Mr. Vajpayee ruled out any change of portfolios before the winter session of Parliament beginning next month, putting to rest speculation whether he was about to change, once again, his views on Mr. Sharad Yadav's usefulness, or otherwise, at the Ministry of Labour. Mr. Vajpayee also dashed the hopes of ministerial aspirants from the Trinamool Congress and the Pattali Makkal Katchi, who have rejoined the National Democratic Alliance, by suggesting that at present there was no proposal to expand his Cabinet.

Asked whether the Centre was considering a ``pro-active policy'' in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Vajpayee said the issue was being reviewed constantly and a decision would be taken as and when required.

Mr. Vajpayee also put on record that New Delhi did not agree with the statement by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Richard Armitage, that Kashmir was one of the most dangerous places in the world.

On the letter of the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, expressing concern over recent developments, the Prime Minister said that while it was natural for everyone to be concerned over the impact of the opposition to the ongoing action in Afghanistan, he felt there was no threat to the internal security of the country.

A UNI report quoted Mr. Vajpayee as saying the country was fully geared to face up to the threat of Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network, which had asked the U.S. and its allies to stop supporting India on the Kashmir issue.

``We have to face this threat and it is a serious situation,'' he said.

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