Sharad suggests transparent way in defence deals

Allahabad, Oct 11: Janata Dal (U) national president and former union minister Sharad Yadav today suggested instituting a transparent mechanism for arms deals to avoid allegations of corruption.

Addressing a joint news conference here, Mr Yadav and Apna Dal national chief Dr Sone Lal Patel said the FIR loged by CBI against former defence minister George Fernandes and his associate Jaya Jaitley for receiving Rs two crore bribe in purchase of Barak missle system from Israel in 2000 was politically motivated.

However, Mr Yadav said at present he was not in a position to say in detail. ''Let me first study the FIR lodged by CBI. To avoid any kind of allegation in defence arms deals, there is the need of a transparent mechanism.'' On the clemency to 2001 Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal -- who has been sentenced to death, both the leaders suggested that people should not hold a ''panchayat'' on the sensitive issue.

''It is the court judgement and should be implemented.'' The JD(U) leader observed it should not be made an issue of open discussion among people and the decision should be left to the President.

He alleged some political parties were playing politics on the issue and trying to divide Hindus and Muslims, which might prove disastrous for the country in coming days.

Both the leaders alleged that fair and free assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh were not possible in the current regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav. They demanded the dismissal of the Samajwadi Party-led government in UP for holding free and fair assembly polls.

When asked about the first underground nuclear test by North Korea on Monday last, both the leaders said America and other European countries, which are opposing it should first ban such tests and stock puling of nuclear weapons in their respective countries. ''We are not in favour of such tests but countries should practice what they preach,'' they said Answering to a question, Mr Yadav and Mr Patel said their parties would contest next UP State Assembly elections together and would later think of having an electoral alliance with Jan Morcha.

They stated the the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and other state governments in the name of industrial development and establishment of high tech city are acquiring land of the farmers in UP, Haryana and Punjab and said they are not against industrialisation but it should not at the cost of agricultural land.

The leaders added ''except China, there were no Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in any country and slammed the UPA government for immitating China.

''Punjab, Haryana and UP were contributing 82 per cent in wheat and 52 per cent in paddy in national pool but the governments of these states were allotting agriculturable land of for SEZ, which would worsen the problems of unemployment, poverty and exploitation.'' they maintained.

Apna Dal president Dr Sone Lal Patel denied the reports that his party was going to give tickets to criminals but noted that '' if any criminal wants to leave crime and pass a peaceful life, we would welcome him.''

UNI

Related Stories