Cuddalore (TN): Defence Minister George Fernandes today (May 5, 2004) said there was no move to downsize the Army and other Defence establishments.

Replying to a question from reporters at nearby Pennadam, he said there would be no reduction in the number of personnel at the Army Command Headquarters, 39 Ordnance factories, Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Fernandes is on a campaign tour of the district in support of Thol Tirumavalavan, DPI leader and candidate for the Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency. Tirumavalavan is contesting as part of the People's Alliance, which included among others Janata Dal-U and Puthiya Tamizhagam.

On the Bofors issue, he said the truth had so far not come out fully and added Congress president Sonia Gandhi and another person identified by Swedish investigating officer in the case should be questioned.