Front Page   

Fernandes seeks proof of charges

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 18. The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, today protested his innocence and challenged the Opposition to provide proof of the corruption charges levelled against him and his Ministry. Making an impassioned intervention in the debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Fernandes said he had "nothing to hide.'' He said: "No one can buy me, I have fought against corruption all my life. ''

Making his first speech in the Lok Sabha after a gap of 22 months, during which period the Opposition parties had boycotted him, Mr. Fernandes demanded that all the reports of the Central Vigilance Commission be made public. "I am willing to go to any extent for the sake of transparency,'' he said.

Combative as ever, the Defence Minister repeatedly locked horns with the Congress, as the Left parties and the Rashtriya Janata Dal persisted with their policy of boycotting the Minister.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Sonia's day out in Parliament
• Sonia indicts Govt., Advani rebuts charges
• Fernandes seeks proof of charges
• AIADMK to abstain from voting
• Apang wins trust vote
• Ranvir Sena leader held
• Sharp rally in Sensex

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu