Cleared, Fernandes slams Sonia

The probe panel, The Sunday Express reported, had cleared Fernandes in all the 14 multi-million-dollar Defence deals and the Kandla-Bhatinda pipeline project that figured in the conversations in the Tehelka sting operation.

‘‘I have proof that the conspiracy to malign me was hatched at the residence of Sonia Gandhi by Congress MP Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and Oscar Fernandes,’’ Fernandes told JD(U) leaders and members from across the country. ‘‘We want the Phukan Commission report to be published. We and the country have a right to know. The government cannot suppress facts,’’ he said.

‘‘We have demanded that the CVC report (on Defence procurement) be made public. Once this report is made public, Congress leaders will be proved wrong.’’

‘‘If the Congress can indulge in such mischief while being in Opposition, one can just imagine what they can do now that the party is in power,’’ he said.

Fernandes said that though the Venkataswamy Commission had found nothing against him, another commission headed by Justice S N Phukan was set up. ‘‘But now he has also given me a clean chit,’’ he said.

The Phukan Commission report into the Tehelka controversy was discussed at length at the JD(U) meeting and dominated the proceedings. Members also passed a resolution that a movement be launched against the UPA for its ‘‘three-year-long attack ’’ against Fernandes. They said they would decide their future course of action tomorrow.