NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Sharad Pawar, under a cloud after the Bombay High Court’s Judgement in a land scandal case, found himself defended in the Lok Sabha, not by his own party colleagues, but by former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.
Chandra Shekhar rose at least half a dozen times in quick succession to defend the Defence Minister after BJP member Ram Kapase mentioned the critical remarks made against him in the High Court Judgement.
The subject first came up in the House when Janata Dal leader George Fernandes inquired about the fate of his censure motion against the Defence Minister, but speaker shivraj patli disallowed the motion .ram kapase who had given prior notice then began his submission, quoting copiously from the High Court Judgement.
Chandra Shekhar took objection in the BJP member’ submission, the Judgement. Kapase replied he was only quoting from the Judgement.
The former Prime Minister said there was very little reference to Pawar in the Judgement and t the rest of it was irrelevant to BJP demand for the Defence Ministers resignation.
Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 14, 1992
