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Coalition panel backs government against Bhagwat

The co-ordination committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its coalition partners today endorsed the government's decision to reject the Opposition's demand for an inquiry by a joint parliamentary committee into the corruption charges levelled by sacked navy chief Vishnu Bhagwat.

The committee approved the stand taken by the government to have a discussion in both Houses of Parliament on the issue under the rules in which voting is not permitted.

Defence Minister George Fernandes, convenor of the committee, told the meeting that the decision to sack Bhagwat was taken under the Constitution and the relevant clause of the Navy Act. Those who respect the Constitution should also respect the decision, he added.

Fernandes refused to divulge the stand taken by All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary J Jayalalitha on the subject. He said, "When I say the committee has unanimously endorsed the stand taken by the government, it includes the views of the constituent members."

Fernandes, who raised the issue at the meeting, had come fully prepared, along with the relevant files. He was ready to give a presentation as he had done before the committee of 22 leaders of both Houses of Parliament.

But sources said Jayalalitha questioned the manner in which Bhagwat was dismissed. "The issue has put the government in a bad light," she told the meeting.

But none of the allies raised the issue of corruption charges levelled against Fernandes by Bhagwat and against Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha by his sacked adviser Mohan Guruswamy, informed sources said.

But after Fernandes explained the circumstances leading to the dismissal, Jayalalitha agreed to go along with the others in endorsing the government's decision.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee told the allies that it is not practical to consult them on each and every issue. He also explained that decisions are being taken by the Cabinet, which has members from almost all the allies.

Among other issues raised by Jayalalitha were the inclusion of Tamil in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, constitutional amendment providing for reservation to the weaker sections beyond the 50 per cent ceiling set by the Supreme Court, the Sethusamudram project, and the Paradeep refinery.

UNI

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