Left attacks Fernandes for linking Kalam, Sonia

New Delhi, Oct 11: The Left parties today ridiculed former Defence Minister and NDA convenor George Fernandes' for dragging the names of President A P J Abdul Kalam and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in the controversial Israeli Barak missile deal after being accused by the CBI of irregularities in the affair.

The Left parties said if Mr Fernandes was honest and upright, then he should allow the law to take its own course and not indulge in a blame- game "out of desperation." The Left parties which spoke in one voice in this regard included the CPI, CPI(M), RSP and Forward Bloc.

The parties were highly critical of Mr Fernandes for making "personal allegations" against Dr Kalam and Ms Gandhi soon after the investigating agency charged him with corruption in the missile deal sealed in 2000.

Mr Fernandes has stated that:"So far as Barak is concerned, if they have to make any charge, then it should start with the President who first called for it (the missile system), asked for it before I joined the government. He (Dr Kalam) said this is needed and that is how it came." He also lashed out at the Congress Chief, who Mr Fernandes said, had conspired to get the FIR filed against him. "This is the handiwork of that lady," he had stated.

CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan told UNI that the attempt by the former Defence Minister to drag the name of the President and Ms Gandhi into the matter was a manifestation of "his acute frustration and desperation." Mr Bardhan, a veteran Communist leader and freedom fighter, recalled that when the allegations were first levelled, Mr Fernandes resgined from the Union Cabinet and promised that he would not return till his name was cleared by the investigating agency.

CPI National Secretary Shamim Faizi said he re-joined the government though the Phukan Commission was still enquiring into the matter.

"Mr Fernandes should realise that several military officials have been punished on the basis of the Tehelka revelations. Politicians should not take refuge in the name of political vendetta. They should face the charge and get vindicated by the judiciary," Mr Faizi, the party Weekly New Age Editor, said.

CPI(M) floor leaders in the Lok Sabha- Mr Basudeb Acharia and Mr Mohammad Salim-- said the statements emanating from Mr Fernandes simply demonstrated his "utter helplessness." The CPI(M) senior leaders said this was only expected from Mr Fernandes after being caught" red handed." "This only signifies his hypocrisy which he tried to play life long, including his political career," they said adding reiterating that he should have not dragged the names of President Kalam and Ms Gandhi as the charges are "very specific." RSP leader and Rajya Sabha member Abani Roy said the way the former Defence Minister had reacted only demonstrates his guilt.

Forward Bloc National Secretary G Devrajan described as "improper" on the part of Mr Fernandes' to drag country's highest constitutional authority in the issue.

"All the defence deals executed during the BJP-led NDA's six years rule should be thoroughly examined and the guilty brought to book," Mr Devrajan added.

UNI

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