National
Opposition to press for Fernandes' resignation
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, DEC. 11. The Opposition parties have decided to put pressure on the Government by demanding the resignation of the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, on the ``Kargil coffins'' issue.
While the Rajya Sabha members said that his resignation was a prerequisite for the conduct and transaction of normal business of the House, the Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha too gave indications of stalling the proceedings.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition's stand was fine- tuned at a meeting held in the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Manmohan Singh, after the House was adjourned on the ``irregularities'' pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) in the purchase of `Kargil coffins' during 1999.
The Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha would finalise their strategy at a meeting before the House assembles tomorrow.
However, there were indications that they would not allow normal functioning till Mr. Fernandes resigns.
The Opposition also sensed an opportunity for whipping it up into an issue, with some likening it to a similar indictment by the CAG over defence purchase in 1988.
On the other hand, a joint statement by the Rajya Sabha leaders noted that the CAG findings on procurement for Operation Vijay ``has shocked the conscience of all patriotic citizens of India.''
The statement was issued by Dr. Manmohan Singh (Congress), Mr. S. Ramchandran Pillai and Mr. Nilotpal Basu (CPI- M), Mr. J. Chittaranjan (CPI), Mr. Ram Gopal Yadav (SP), Mr. Prem Chand Gupta (RJD) and Mr. Manoj Bhattacharya (RSP).
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