Friday, May 13 2005 12:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Justifying the decision to give an Air Force aircraft to Justice S N Phukan for his trip to Maharashtra, former Defence Minister George Fernandes has said if he had not provided it then he could have been accused of not cooperating with the probe.

The request for the aircraft came from the Commission, which was investigating various arms deals in the wake of Tehelka expose, and he had the authority to clear it, Fernandes told Karan Thapar in an interview on BBC's 'Hard Talk India' programme.

Phukan came under attack last week after media reports that he had used Air Force aircraft and helicopters for his trip to various places including Shirdi and Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra as part of a visit for inspection of gun systems.

The retired Supreme Court judge had maintained that he had not sought the aircraft, which was requisitioned by the Commission. He said he did not know he was not entitled.

On the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) memorandum to the President accusing the Government of trying to scuttle President Pervez Musharraf's meeting with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the NDA convener said the Government had a responsibility to come out with a clarification when news reports had appeared in this connection.

It was "irresponsible" on Government's part not to say the media report was inaccurate, he added.

On the Opposition boycott of Parliament, he said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government had "no business" to remain in power if it could not ensure that Parliament ran smoothly.