Ministers must sort out affidavit mess: Congress

With Union ministers Pranab Mukherjee and Hans Raj Bhardwaj speaking in different voices over the affidavit filed in Supreme Court regarding...

With Union ministers Pranab Mukherjee and Hans Raj Bhardwaj speaking in different voices over the affidavit filed in Supreme Court regarding alleged scams in defence purchases during and after the Kargil conflict, the Congress today left it to the duo to clarify the issue.

‘‘It is for the two ministers to have a look at it,’’ Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said in response to queries. Law Minister Bhardwaj had told reporters yesterday that the Defence Ministry (headed by Mukherjee) had changed the draft of the affidavit prepared by the Law Ministry. Sharma pleaded ignorance. ‘‘I am not privy to these affidavits. Therefore, I am not in a position to clarify,’’ he said.

Sharma reacted sharply when asked for comments on the allegation of JD(U) president George Fernandes that a conspiracy to malign him in Defence purchase scam was hatched at 10 Janpath, residence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. ‘‘It is preposterous on Fernandes’ part to make such a statement,’’ Sharma said. The JD(U) president, according to him, ‘‘is in the habit of making false accusations and misleading people over the years. He has finetuned this art’’.

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Pointed out that Fernandes had been given a clean chit by the Phukan Commission in 14 cases, Sharma said the Congress had expressed its reservations when a commission headed by M. Venkatachalaiah was set up after the Tehelka expose. He said the Congress did not endorse the terms of reference for the commission.

In response to another query, Sharma demanded the resignation of ICCR chairperson Najma Heptulla, followed by an inquiry into the inclusion of a ‘‘doctored’’ photograph featuring her and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in a book. ‘‘It is forged. It is a disgrace and criminal offence. It is abuse of office and distortion of history,’’ Sharma said. ‘‘If she has any shame left, she should quit as chairperson of ICCR.’’