Darbhanga (Bihar): Defence Minister George Fernandes on October 2, charged Congress president Sonia Gandhi with distorting facts on the matter relating to purchase of coffins for soldiers as part of political propaganda against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

"Sonia Gandhi knows very well that I have nothing to do with the purchase of coffins. Despite this she is twisting facts on the issue as part of political propaganda against me and the NDA government," he told reporters in Darbhanga.

The order for coffins was given by the Army in 1995 as per their needs, before the Kargil war and the Defence Minister had no role in it, he said.

He said that the order was placed as per the rules laid down by the Army and described the controversy on the matter as unnecessary and based on falsehood.

The Defence Minister said that those who tried to drag the Army into controversy with the help of untrue facts were actually damaging the spirit of soldiers and working against the interest of the nation.

The Minister was talking to reporters after inaugurating a musical foundation in Darbhanga.

PTI