I have returned on PM's request

NEW DELHI, OCT. 15. Hours after he was reinducted as Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes today said he had come back to the Government on the specific request of the Prime Minister but felt there was no ``moral question'' involved in his being in the Cabinet and Defence Ministry.

``I was told by the Prime Minister on Friday that I should be back in the Government... I have returned on the specific request of the Prime Minister,'' he told the Star News TV channel.

Asked if the moral ground on which he had resigned earlier was not valid anymore, Mr. Fernandes said ``there was never a moral question in this.''

He said the defence of the country and restoration of the troops' morale which was shaken by ``this wretched'' Tehelka would be two of his main priorities after assuming charge once again.

Reacting to the Opposition criticism of his reinduction, he said ``I will ask them to produce charge against me. You cannot say that you are tainted. You are this. You are that... By your shouting in the streets and in Parliament, I do not become an accused.'' Asked if he would be ``cautious'' in future, he said ``I will work with my own conscience... There are many Tehelka- type people in the country who want dishonesty and not integrity.''

- PTI

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