George Fernandes George Fernandes is a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and President of the Samata Party, a State party whose stronghold is in the Bihar state and which secured twelve seats in the 1999 Lokh Sabha. As Industry Minister in the late 1970s, Fernandes kicked Coca-Cola out of the country for violating investment laws. As president of the All India Railway Men's Federation in 1973, Fernandes led India's largest railroad strike, which was brutally suppressed. Fernandes and thousands of others were imprisoned. He was elected to Parliament from prison in1977. Defence Minister of the coalition of Prime Minister Vajapayee, he resigned in March 16 2001 while denying any involvement in a weapons procurement scandal revealed by Internet journalists,His portfolio was then assigned to the Foreign Affairs Minister. He remained the convenor of the coalition until he was reinstated in his function in October 2001. | |||
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