BJP should come clean on Bofors controversy: CPI(M)

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The CPI(M) today demanded that the BJP ''come clean'' on the controversy generated by the ''now retracted'' remarks of NDA Convenor George Fernandes that he was prevented from ''pursuing'' the Bofors file when he was defence minister by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

''The BJP cannot treat the subject as closed by saying that the media has misquoted Mr Fernandes' remark,'' CPI(M) Parliamentary Group leader Sitaram Yechury told newspersons.

Mr Yechury also urged the Manmohan Singh government to ''verify'' Mr Fernandes' original statement.

In a volte face yesterday, Mr Fernandes said that he had been misquoted in the television interview and Mr Vajpayee's hands-off Bofors remarks had been made in jest.

After the NDA convenor retracted his remarks, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, ''Since Mr Fernandes has clarified his remarks, the BJP will treat the matter as closed.'' The CPI(M) leader claimed that Mr Fernandes retracted his statement ''under pressure.'' ''To say that Mr Vajpayee's remarks were made in jest, is a big joke in itself...we will pursue the matter in our own way.'' Mr Yechury said the UPA government should get to the bottom of the matter as ''the BJP's explanation is not credible''.

UNI