George repackages his secular credentials

NEW DELHI, JANUARTY 14: Sidelined during the hijack crisis by the BJP, Defence Minister George Fernandes has made a subtle move to repackage his secular and socialist credentials. He has decided to share a platform with the Congress and other secular parties.

Though the conference on Development and Governance8217; in which he will participate on Sunday next is said to be non-political, it is organised by Fernandes8217; trusted lieutenant, Shambhu Srivastva of the Rashtriya Vikas Morcha. No BJP leader has been listed as a participant.

With social Justice as its main plank, conference will be addressed, among others, by Fernandes, Syed Shahabuddin, senior Congress leader Rajesh Pilot, Chaturanan Mishra CPI and Samata Party general secretary Jaya Jaitley.

Fernandes has been maintaining a low profile during his second stint in the Vajpayee government. Though he was the main trouble-shooter in the 12th Lok Sabha for the Prime Minister, Fernandes is hardly seen with Vajpayee these days.