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India's main opposition Congress Party to meet over bribery scandal

In India, the main opposition Congress Party will meet today to work out how to respond to the government's calling of an independent inquiry into allegations of corruption in defence
equipment deals.

South Asia correspondent, Jonathan Harley, reports the scandal is threatening to engulf the government.

Day five of India's bribes for arms deal controversy and Prime Minister Atel Behari Vajpayee will be hoping he's taken the heat off his governmetn for now at least. In a national televised address, he described the allegations that senior government and defence figures had accepted money to assist prospective arms equipment deals as a wake up call to the country. "The government shall do everything necessary to bring everyone guilty to account, whether high or low ." Mr Vajpayee said his only concern was keeping India's defence forces strong and maintaining national security. But uncertainty hangs over the stability of his administration, with the opposition promising to step up pressure on his government to resign. Jonathan Harley, New Delhi.

17/03/01 11:00:33 | ABC Radio Australia News

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