10-11-2006, 09:44 PM
<b>BJP will stand by George: Jaitley</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Though Fernandes remains NDA convenor, the BJP believes that, sooner or later, he will join the Samajwadi Party at the invitation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, "Only this morning I spoke to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani. They wanted Fernandes to be strongly defended. The party is convinced of his integrity."
Jaitley said the CBI had failed to make out a case of corruption against Fernandes who was convinced, on the basis of recommendation of the Defence Ministry, that the Navy needed the missile system.
<b>Jaitley and Javadekar reminded that the UPA had ordered seven Barak missile system in January in 2006 from the same suppliers when Fernandes was accused of ordering five systems.</b>
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"What is the charge against Fernandes? That he was strongly convinced about Barak? Are men of conviction dishonest?," asked Jaitley. "Till date, the indigenous missile system is not ready. Defence purchases are not decided by one person. A judicial commission of inquiry (Justice Phukan Commission) had failed to show any irregularity."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, "Only this morning I spoke to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani. They wanted Fernandes to be strongly defended. The party is convinced of his integrity."
Jaitley said the CBI had failed to make out a case of corruption against Fernandes who was convinced, on the basis of recommendation of the Defence Ministry, that the Navy needed the missile system.
<b>Jaitley and Javadekar reminded that the UPA had ordered seven Barak missile system in January in 2006 from the same suppliers when Fernandes was accused of ordering five systems.</b>
..............
"What is the charge against Fernandes? That he was strongly convinced about Barak? Are men of conviction dishonest?," asked Jaitley. "Till date, the indigenous missile system is not ready. Defence purchases are not decided by one person. A judicial commission of inquiry (Justice Phukan Commission) had failed to show any irregularity."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->