Cong talks Bhagwat with Govt

The Government argued that it had no option but to remove Bhagwat. Fernandes reportedly showed classified defence documents to the leaders to buttress his case. Mukherjee confirmed to The Indian Express that “defence related matters including that of Vishnu Bhagwat came up for discussion during the meeting.” He declined to give any details.

Sources say that party leaders would send a written report to Sonia Gandhi. There are indications that Fernandes’s explanation found few takers. And that it was a belated attempt by the Government to cover up its follies.

Though Amar Singh is understood to have told some of his party colleagues that the Government has a case, other leaders felt that the Government should be hauled up.

Informed sources say that Sonia Gandhi will hold another round of talks with her senior party leaders in the wake of the Government plea. Earlier in the day, she allowed chief whip of the Congress Parliamentary Party P J Kurien and spokesman Ajit Jogi to go ahead with the censure motion on the unceremonious sacking of Vishnu Bhagwat and the dubious dismissal of Mohan Guruswamy, advisor to the Union Finance Minister.

Bhagwat recently held a press conference in New Delhi and made direct allegations against Defence Minister George Fernandes. He said George protected tainted officers, gave shelter to Burmese rebels in his house and interfered in the functioning of the three wings of the forces.

Another sign of the Congress hardening its stand was when the party said it would bring a cut motion on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha with regard to the proposal to allow tax exemptions to religious organisations like the VHP and the Bajrang Dal under 80G of the Income-tax Act.