Friday, April 22 2005 08:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Taking umbrage at ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) members raising furore in Parliament over various Defence deals, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday (Apr 21, 2005) accused it of causing loss of crores of Rupees and said it was open to any inquiry into them.

"Congress had fielded Rahul Gandhi last time to stage a sit-in outside the Parliament House accusing the Opposition of obstructing Parliament and causing loss to public money but now the ruling MPs themselves are raising a hue and cry. It is their Government and they can take any action," BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters in New Delhi.

He said that even after one year, there was no case or chargesheet pertaining to corruption against a single Minister of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government and "by raising such issues, the ruling MPs are trying to bully and blackmail their own Government".

Malhotra sought to know why and how the representatives of South African arms firm Denil were still "getting access" to the corridors of power.

Asked whether NDA was open to a probe on the arms deal with Denel, he said, "Why not? We challenge them to come forward with a single charge."

Referring to Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan's recent meeting with the Prime Minister and demand for reservation for Dalit Christians and Muslims, he warned the Government against making any such move as it would not only "divide the country on religious lines but also damage the cause of Dalits".

He said that the NDA leaders would meet on Monday (Apr 25, 2005) to discuss their strategy in Parliament next week.