Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Prime Minister is expanding the cabinet on Monday, October 15. In this connection, there are reports in the media that Shri George Fernandes may be reinducted in the cabinet.
Shri George Fernandes had resigned as the Defence Minister after the Tehelka tape exposure. There is a judicial commission investigating the charges of bribe-taking, including an episode which took place in the Defence Minister’s house and involving the then President of the Samata Party.
It will be a brazen disregard for propriety and the government’s own stand that it would like to get to the bottom of the Tehelka tapes, to reinduct Shri Fernandes in the cabinet, while the Commission is still conducting its enquiry. Such a move will be one more cynical blow to the public resolve to check corruption in the high places.