Former Defense Minister of India Fernandes – victim of witch hunt

It is a witch-hunt in India that is targeting the former Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes has become the center of political focal points. The UPA Government is attacking this man ruthlessly.

But some does stand with George Fernandes. Attacking the UPA Government for ''''acting with ill will'''' against former Defence Minister George Fernandes, in connection with alleged irregularities in Kargil defence purchases, Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav, today warned that any attempt at ''''implicating political opponents in false cases will boomerang on the Government''''.

''''The UPA Government is acting with ill will against Fernandes and any attempt to implicate political opponents in false cases will boomerang on the Government,'''' he said addressing a gathering after inaugurating the three-day sixth national convention of his party. The way the Government has filed ''''conflicting'''' affidavits in the court to ''''frame'''' Fernandes, reflects its ''''dictatorial style of functioning'''', he said. Taking a dig at the Congress party, Yadav, who is also the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, said it was difficult to understand who -- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, or Congress President Sonia Gandhi-- wielded real power.

Assailing the UPA Government's policies, Mulayam said, ''''militancy (in Kashmir) is on the rise but unfortunately we have lowered our guard on frontiers. My party welcomes the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service but we have to be vigilant on the border. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, speaks good things but we should never forget Kargil.''''

Accusing the Centre of having shown ''''undue haste'''' in passage of the Patents Bill, the SP leader said as a result of 'slipshod'''' economic policies the multi-national corporations were dictating terms to the Government.