Nanded: Defence Minister George Fernandes on October 9 reiterated his demand to file a case of treason against Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Fernandes was in Nanded to take part in civic reception of Sudhakar Rao Doifode, Chief Editor of local Daily 'Prajavani'. Talking to reporters, he said there was no need for Cabinet approval to file case against Gandhi.

"If the government is filing a case then Law Ministry should take a decision in this regard," he said, adding, even if the government does not file a case he would file one.

In reply to a query the Defence Minister said test firing of missiles by Pakistan would not make any difference to India and the country is ready to face any challenge.

On Air Force Chief S Krishnaswamy's recent comment that red-tapism prevails in the Ministry, Fernandes said he should not have commented like that and disapproved the policy.

Speaking at the civic reception, Fernandes stressed on building national character to achieve the vision of "India 2020" and said weeding out corruption at all levels and inculcating self discipline in individual life is necessary to achieve it.

Defending the coffin purchase scam, the Defence Minister said he had no role in the purchase as it was done at lower level.

Fernandes also defended his party joining hands with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and said it was the need of the hour as days of single party rule are over.

The party neither threw its philosophy to the winds, nor compromised and followed guidelines of Ram Manohar Lohia and Jai Prakash Narayan, he added.

PTI