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The expose of corruption in defence deals would be a "great service" to the nation if the charges levelled against various public figures and defence officials were proved, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said Saturday.
Participating in 'Question Time India' programme of BBC, he said investigative journalism was justified if the inquiry proved the charges.
"Frankly it is justified if it is proved in the inquiry. Then he (Tehelka chief-in-chief Tarun Tejpal) has done a great service to the nation," Mahajan said answering questions whether hidden-camera journalism was ethical.
He said that if the charges were proved "definitely it is shocking news for the BJP and the BJP will have to do some kind of atonement for this."
Brushing aside a question about vulnerability of the standard of the defence purchases, Mahajan said, "It is incorrect to say there is rampant corruption in defence purchases. Corruption always does not get you substandard weapons. Bofors is not a substandard weapon."
He said that the defence ministers of this country under different regimes, either Congress, Samajwadi Party or any other party, have "never purchased substandard weapons" because of stiff selection processes with adequate checks and balances.
Asked whether the latest developments would pose a threat to the survival of the government, Mahajan said, "The stability of the government is not the concern but the credibility of the government is important."
PTI
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