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India's Ruling Coalition Closes Ranks Over Bribery Scandal
NEW DELHI, March 14 (News Agencies) - India's coalition government closed ranks in the face of a damaging arms bribery scandal Wednesday, rejecting opposition demands that its ministers resign and inviting any inquiry deemed fit by parliament.
The government also suspended four top defense ministry and army officials implicated in the scandal, while the army ordered a special court of inquiry.
The suspensions followed the resignation on Tuesday of ruling BJP party president Bangaru Laxman, who was filmed receiving 100,000 rupees ($2,170) from journalists posing as arms dealers.
Laxman insisted he took the cash believing it was a contribution to party funds.
The scandal prompted the adjournment of parliament, as opposition MPs stormed the floor, demanding that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Defense Minister George Fernandes and the entire cabinet stand down.
But leaders of nearly all the dozen or so parties in Vajpayee's coalition struck a united pose, saying no minister would resign and condemning what they described as a political conspiracy.
"No one needs to resign, no minister is involved, there is no kickback in any defense deal," said BJP spokesman V.K. Malhotra.
"Action will be taken against the guilty, but the innocent will not be allowed to be punished," Malhotra said.
Vajpayee said the government was "ready for any inquiry" that might be ordered by parliament.
Such statements were unlikely to appease opposition parties, who were scenting blood ahead of crucial elections in five Indian states next month.
"This government must accept its moral responsibility and resign," said Madhav Rao Scindia, deputy leader of the main opposition Congress party.
"The entire opposition is urging the president to press Vajpyee to hand over his papers."
The row promised another stormy session when parliament opens for business on Thursday morning.
BJP president Laxman was the most senior politician implicated in the sting operation run by news and entertainment portal, tehelka.com.
Senior politicians, defense ministry officials and army officers were captured on hidden cameras, allegedly taking bribes to facilitate the prospects of a fake company "West End" seeking to sell equipment to the Indian military.
Defense Minister Fernandes was reported to have offered his resignation on Tuesday, but the cabinet rejected it.
Observers said the chances of the government collapsing were minimal.
"But it does mean a considerable loss of stature for the government, and this could weaken the electoral prospects of the BJP allies in the coming state elections," said political analyst Pran Chopra.
While most of the BJP's partners vowed to stand by the government, one regional partner threatened to withdraw unless Fernandes stepped down.
The four officials suspended on Wednesday included additional director general of weapons and equipment Major General P.S.K. Chaudhary, as well as three senior defense ministry officials.
"Strict action will be taken against any other officer or official if any delinquency of conduct is established in due course," the government said in a statement.
Indian newspapers on Wednesday were overwhelmingly hostile to the government.
"Spy camera strips government naked on defense deal" was the front-page headline in the Times of India, which suggested that more heads were bound to roll.
"Hidden camera has government looking for a place to hide," said the Indian Express, while the Hindustan Times ran the headline: "Guns, graft and videotape".
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