Saturday, April 9 2005 19:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Accusing the Centre of acting "under pressure" from Congress President Sonia Gandhi, an angry George Fernandes today (Apr 9, 2005) questioned UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government's decision to file a second affidavit before the Supreme Court in defence purchases during the Kargil conflict.

Maintaining that his name has been cleared in the Kargil defence purchases, he said, "The Government is behaving as if it does not know the rules of Parliament, as if it does not know how issues are solved."

"Their lies have shown up and they don't know where to hide their face," Fernandes said on the sidelines of the 22nd National Kannada Sammelana, where he was honoured with the 'Best Outside Kannadiga' award.

The Defence Ministry's affidavit before the Apex Court earlier this week said there was no violation of financial procedures of the Government or the Defence Procurement Procedures of 1992 but had maintained that there were five cases, which had been referred to the CBI.

In an attack on Gandhi, Fernandes said the Centre was acting at her behest and was "under tremendous pressure."

"She has some agenda of her own. The Government is under pressure also from the Marxists who are sitting on their heads, as they should," he added.