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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
The Congress sought on Saturday to pre-empt any move to re-induct Samata Party politician George Fernandes in Monday's reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, even as the former defence minister met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to stake his claim on the defence portfolio
"We are astounded to learn about the moves to re-induct Mr Fernandes into the Union Council of Ministers," said chief Congress spokesman S Jaipal Reddy.
"This is nothing short of a brazen violation of the canons of public conduct," he thundered. "It also represents the height of shamelessness on the part of [Prime Minister Atal Bihari] Vajpayee, who is openly surrendering to pressure from Mr Fernandes, who is in indecent haste to become a minister."
Reddy's verbal assault is apparently designed to pre-empt the Samata politician's anticipated re-induction into the government.
Recent media reports had underscored the likelihood of Fernandes being given back the defence portfolio. Paraphrasing Shakespeare, Reddy remarked, "I would say shamelessness, thy name is National Democratic Alliance."
"It is a cruel joke," he said, "that this [assertion] has been made on the day the Venkataswami Commission [probing the Tehelka scandal] rejected the plea of the Samata Party that the Tehelka tapes were doctored."
"In view of this definitive observation of the Venkataswami Commission, at least one aspect of the scam has been conclusively proved, that a bribe was received in Fernandes's official residence when he was defence minister," the Congress politician pointed out.
"Fernandes should not be taken into the Cabinet. An FIR [First Information Report] should be filed against him. His re-induction will be a serious challenge to our democracy."
While contending that the move "is an insult to the Venkataswami Commission", Reddy charged that the aim was to cripple it.
Referring to the anticipated re-induction of the BJP's MP from Gujarat Harin Pathak, he said, "He [Pathak] is facing a charge sheet. I do not know that his name is being considered for inclusion in the Union Cabinet."
According to Reddy, "If all this can be done, why should Bangaru Laxman not be reinstated as the BJP chief?"
Answering questions, he said the Congress was in no haste to fix the NDA government, but "we have our own sources of information regarding Fernandes's re-induction."
Asked whether he was recommending any other person's name for the defence portfolio, he retorted, "We do not recommend people for ministries."
He pointed out that "in a democracy, the ultimate test is public opinion and it will prevail against Vajpayee who will be held responsible for this outrage."
He described the government's tenure so far as "the most unproductive three years in the history of India".
EARLIER REPORTS: PM to expand Cabinet on Monday Samata warns of revolt if George is kept out
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