Fernandes calls PM a traitor, Congress stalls House

QUOTE UNQUOTE: The former Defence Minister said he stands by his statement of calling Manmohan Singh a traitor.

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New Delhi: The Manmohan Singh government continues to feel the heat over the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The Rajya Sabha was, on Friday, adjourned after Congress members vehemently protested against certain "insulting" remarks against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by NDA Convener and former Union Minister George Fernandes, leading to the adjournment of the House till 1430 hrs (IST).

However, Fernandes has said he stands by his statement describing the Prime Minister as a traitor for signing the Indo-US nuclear deal.

In his strong statement, Fernandes had said that the PM had "betrayed the nation by continuous bluffing".

“If it were in China, they would have settled it with one bullet in his head. After what, he has done, the PM has neither the morale nor the political right to remain in his position,” Fernandes added.

Rajya Sabha member Praveen Rashtrapal was quoted by news agency PTI as saying, "Prime Minister of this country has been insulted by a member of the other House".

He was joined by several other Congress members who waved a newspaper clipping containing the remarks of Fernandes against the Prime Minister.

Party members are demanding the arrest of Fernandes and have asked Home Minister Shivraj Patil that an FIR be lodged against the former Defence Minister.

In Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi condemned Fernandes' statement against the PM. He demanded an apology or its withdrawal by Fernandes.

"Either he is mentally sound or not. If he is not then we have nothing to say, if he is then the Government condemns the statement. The Leader of Opposition (L K Advani) should also condemn the statement," Dasmunsi was quoted by PTI as saying.

This is not the first time that he has used what many call unparliamentary language. Some time back he had used similar strong words against Sonia Gandhi when he went on a battle against her foreign origins.

(With inputs from agencies)