Visibly upset over the recent controversies involving leaders from Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday gave vent to his frustration in the Rajya Sabha.
Saying the episodes involving Dilip Singh Judeo and Ajit Jogi are a "disgrace and a black spot" on the future of Indian democracy, he asked how long would the country depend on capitalists to fight elections.
"I cannot express in words how upset I am," he told the members while replying to the discussion on Judeo's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers. "What is happening in the country and in which direction are we going? Please do not take it in the context of Government versus Opposition.
"In my political career spanning 40 years, nobody could ever point an accusing finger at me about financial irregularities. I am the prime minister because of the blessing of the people. But now it is highly unpleasant for me to see that leaders of two political parties are being accused (of corruption) and I have to stand here to speak about it."