Click to play videoNew Delhi: Perhaps the weakest in his six-decade long political career, George Fernandes is an isolated man today. His old socialist friends have deserted him and the BJP and the RSS prefer ties with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar rather than the aging socialist.
"I have the faith and the confidence to say that George Fernandes is one of the most honest ministers of India. His integrity is beyond doubt."
After literally pushing George Fernandes to the brink, these words by his one time friend Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, are literally mercy being shown on him.
Facing the heat from the CBI for receiving kickbacks in the Barak anti-missile systems deal, Fernandes, the Convenor of the NDA, is fast running out of friends.
"Who has blamed me and for what? This is all lies," is all he has to say.
When L K Advani was facing off with the RSS, Fernandes went all the way to Nagpur to broker peace within the Sangh Parivaar, also emerging as the poster boy of the Sangh Parivaar's brand of secularism.
Fernandes by now had completely turned against the very ideals which he once stood for as a follower of Jayprakash Narain. The only thing that he has now are some words of comfort, which may not hold too much water
BJP General Secretary, Arun Jaitley says, "The BJP believes that the 40 year record of George Fernandes in public life has been spotless."
Fernandes now wants to join hands with Mulayam Singh Yadav, but now that he faces so many charges, he may well have outlived his utility to any political outfit.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.