New Delhi, July 30: Congress, giving conflicting signals of late on the issue of boycott of George Fernandes, today downplayed presence of some party members in the Rajya Sabha during question hour when the defence minister was replying to questions. "There is no change in our stand on the issue. We do not recognise him (the defence minister) and so do not ask questions. There is nothing new in this. The boycott continues," leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Manmohan Singh told a news agency. Prominent among those present in the Rajya Sabha when Fernandes replied to a query during question hour today were Pranab Mukherjee, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Motilal Vohra, Ambika Soni and Moolchand Meena. RJD supreme Laloo Prasad, whose party is also boycotting Fernandes, was also seen sitting in the house.


Congress, Left Parties and RJD have been boycotting Fernandes in parliament for 18 months over Tehelka scam. Bureau Report