When Defence Minister George Fernandes, dressed in his trademark crumpled kurta, rose in the Lok Sabha on Monday evening to defend himself against allegations of corruption, he was speaking in a full House after 22 months.

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Just a few minutes into the speech, it was clear he was going to use the opportunity to the full.

Fernandes said the security of the nation is better than it was five years back and its armed forces now have modern equipment that they did not possess in the past. "Budget allocation is several times more than it was in the past years. This year the three forces are spending Rs 15,000 crore in capital expenditure, compared to Rs 900 crores spent last year," he said.

Deputy leader of the opposition Shivraj Patil interrupted saying Fernandes was saying that his ministry, that finalises purchases, does not have any vision or planning.

"Vision and planning are there," Fernandes retorted, pointing out that there could be problems with the vendors.

The minister then began his reply to the issues regarding Operation Parakram and counter-terrorist operations in Hill Kaka area, code named Operation Sarp Vinash. He said the operations in Hill Kaka were nothing new and anti-terrorist operations are an ongoing effort in Kashmir. In the last four years, 172 terrorists were killed by the Army, while just in Hill Kaka operation 65 were killed, he said.

"I don't understand why so much anger against military," George wondered as the opposition erupted in noisy protests. Priyaranjan Das Munshi led the chorus accusing the minister of misleading the House. Shivraj Patil said the opposition never raised any "questions about the military, we have spoken only about the minister."

As the noise levels receded, George shifted his focus to the Kargil conflict, root cause of which, he said, was the 1972 Shimla Agreement. He said the Line of Control demarcated by senior military officers of India and Pakistan were drawn on a small map with thick lines and there was never any attempt to demarcate on ground the boundary in Kargil area by any government.

He said it was routine for armies of both India and Pakistan to occupy some advanced posts in summer and retreat during winter. But in 1999, Pakistan breached this and thus violated the Shimla Agreement.

The minister said the Pakistan television showed day after day Indian political leaders criticising the Kargil developments. The opposition was once again on its feet, when Fernandes said the criticism during Kargil
had affected the morale of the Indian soldiers.

"After 22 months I am allowed to speak. Let me speak," Fernandes pleaded as the noise rose. "If that is the sense then you must speak for 22 hours," speaker Manohar Joshi replied in a lighter vein.

But an angry Fernandes wasn't amused, and he went on to explain his stand on the recent controversy over the refusal of the government to part with a Central Vigilance Commission report on defence purchases because it was marked secret.

"I have nothing to hide. For transparency, I am ready to go to any length. If anything is wrong we will take action. I will punish anybody indulging in corruption," Fernandes said.

The minister said he was for making all reports, including those from the past such as Henderson Brooks report on 1962 war, public. "A new rule must be made. Now I have to hear that I am forced to hide files because of corruption," Fernandes said. "How much?" he craned his neck to the opposition side, "Rs 3000 crore?"

"There is nobody who can buy me. I have fought corruption all my life," Fernandes said. As Fernandes' thunder died down, Das Munshi was up on his feet: "He is no holy saint to teach us," he said.

Fernandes was next on to Coffin Scam. "Sonia Gandhi and crowd around her" were making these allegations repeatedly both inside the House and outside, Fernandes said, hardly able to hide his disgust.

The opposition was once again on its feet pointing out that the corruption was alleged in a CAG report.

He said the purchase of coffins for military was such a small purchase that he wasn't even aware of it till it appeared in the media and later in Parliament. "I am challenging you. Give me proof by tomorrow evening. Can lies be repeated here?" the minister said. Opposition was on its feet pointing out that it was CAG, which has said there is corruption in Coffin scam.

But Fernandes was not listening. "If you are honest enough, by tomorrow evening give me proof. I am ready to quit." Opposition leader Sonia Gandhi walked into the House as the minister threw the challenge again at the opposition.

Fernandes tried to target Gandhi again, asking her if she meant some military officers took filthy lucre when she kicked up the corruption allegations on coffin purchase.

"For the last two years I have tolerated this, that our government made money on our soldiers' blood. Allegations against Atalji, sometime against Advaniji and almost daily against me," Fernandes said. "If I have done that, I am not fit to be here," Fernandes said.

The speech was interrupted as Fernandes charged up on Coffin scam allegations. The opposition was on its feet shouting "coffin chor," while the ruling front retorted shouting "murti chor."

Fernandes said, "Patriotism and the fear of law can curb corrupt practices. Otherwise, any amount of debate won't yield result."

All hell broke lose when Fernandes quoted a paragraph from former American ambassador Patrick D
Moynihan's book. Ambassador Moynihan has alleged in his book that twice Americans paid money to the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi. "It shows how far corruption can take the nation," Fernandes said.

Shivraj Patil, former speaker and Congress member raised a point of order and said that under the Lok Sabha rules 352 "while speaking in Parliament no member shall make any personal references unless its imperative to discussion."

But Fernandes was not giving up yet. In a parting shot, he asked Sonia Gandhi to help in getting back Italian businessman and an accused in Bofors scam Ottavio Quattrochi.

He also asked the Congress to go through a book written by former bureaucrat B Tandon (PMO Diary) in which corruption of Congress rule is disclosed. He said let this book also be sent to the CVC for further investigation.