George Fernandes, ‘honourable’ minister for Defence in the NDA administration claims that he was prevented from investigating Bofors by the then PM, Atal Behari Vajpayee. Now he tells us that it was a joke
He did ask me not to rake up the issue… But it was all said in a very light-hearted manner. And you know about Atalji… He does make such remarks,”
(aside – can we consider Ajit’s line – "usse liquid oxygen mein dubado…." to be said in a very light hearted manner ) So what could the then PM have meant:
- Option 1 – Don’t investigate Bofors’ because there is nothing to investigate. It was all smoke without fire.
- Option 2 – Don’t investigate Bofor’s because if you do the Congress will investigate coffins, telecom licenses etal.
- Option 3 – Don’t Investigate Bofor’s because everything that was made in Bofor’s is part of the political parties’ mutual fund, and it pays for all our retirement benefits.
- Option 4 – Vajpayee was joking when he said that don’t investigate it
If i had to choose one option of these four, then option 1 to 3 will be top of my list. Somehow, i find it difficult that the BJP which has had such an anti-Sonia policy, would give up the chance to investigate Bofors. And, I doubt that a man like Atal Behari Vajpayee – would joke about not investigating something like this. Fernandes trying to clarify his ‘Vajpayee told me not to investigate Bofors’ statement, digs him self further in :
He was telling me not to take any decision on whether to go ahead with the purchase (of the Bofors guns) and whether the money paid for them should be got back or any such issue, since no decision had been taken (by the party). As is normal for Vajpayeeji, he may have expressed it in a joking manner, saying ‘Don’t touch the file’,” said Fernandes on Sunday
I am not sure what is worse from the POV of the Indian citizen — a bunch of elected individuals deciding to return money without going through due process, or a Political Party taking a decision – on whether or not to buy guns – that should be taken by the Executive, or the fact that the PM jokingly tells one of his senior ministers’ not to investigate the biggest bribery scandal in the last 3 decades. Is it just me, or does it seem that the entire political establishment is trying to cover this and all other corruption scandals up!!
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Vajpayee compares himself to Parasuram and Advani & Mahajan as Ram and Lakshman. But, he probably got his sages mixed up. He probably meant (or should have meant Vishwamitra). Parasuram is regarded as 6th avtaar of Lord Vishnu (the protector of ‘mother earth’ in the trilogy of Hindu Gods – appearing at regular intervals to rid the earth of her oppressors, and restoring the path of righteousness, Dharma). Son of Jamadagni and Renuka – Parasuram kills his mother to prove his devotion to his father and asks for her life back as his boon gifted by his father. When Jamadigni is killed by the maurader Kartyavira Arjuna – Parasuram goes bananas and kills 10,000 generations of Kshatriyas. Genocide. He then retires to the hills to contemplate. When Ram breaks the Shiv Dhanush at Sita’s swayamwara, Parasuram challenges Ram to duel – and then realising that Ram and Lakshman represent Narayana and Adishesha – retreats from the world to do tapas. Afterall, he has to atone for those he killed! Vishwamitra on the other hand was born a king and aspired to be hailed as a Brahma Rishi by Vashishta. He attains his goal after many twists and turns and the creation of a new universe for King Trishanku. While in the midst of Yagya he is consistently troubled by Rakshashas. He goes to Ayodhya and demands the services of a 16 year old Rama and his even younger brother Lakshman, as protectors. He equips them with the bala atibala chant and unleashes them on the Rakshasas. He take them to Mithilla to Sita’s swayamwara. He is a friend, philosopher and guide to the young princes – and helps them on the road to righteousness. When Vajpayee refers to him as Parasuram, what does he mean? That he has gone off to atone for genocide, leaving the mantle to Advani and Lakshman. or is it that he has trained them in the path of governance and has ensured political succession? Maybe for a change Vajpayee is telling the truth! or as usual he has opened mouth and inserted foot!
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