New Delhi: Visibly upset over the Judeo and Jogi scams, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Dec 16, 2003) had an outburst in the Rajya Sabha, saying the two episodes were a "disgrace and a black spot" on the future of Indian democracy and asked how long would the country depend on capitalists to fight elections.

The two prominent personalities of major political parties – former Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and former Union Minister Dilip Singh Judeo -- stand "accused" before the people and "I cannot express in words how upset I am," he told the Rajya Sabha while giving his reply to the discussion on the resignation of Judeo from the Central Government.

True to his statesman-like approach, Vajpayee said, "What is happening in the country and to which direction are we going? Please do not take it in terms of Government versus Opposition. I have a political career spanning 40 years and nobody could ever point an accusing finger at me for financial irregularities.

"I am the Prime Minister because of the blessing of the people. But now it is highly unpleasant for me to see that leaders of two political parties are being accused and I have to stand here to speak on the episodes," he said.

PTI