It is more than one month now, a section of the press and some members of the Opposition parties have been unduly talking about a letter which I wrote to offer my legal services. The issue has been, the least to say, blown out of proportion.

It is surprising that a private letter given in person as a personal note to Minister has gone into the hands of the Opposition and the press.

I am still wondering whether I committed a crime, whether I asked for a bribe, whether I stole anyone or whether anything illegal ? Nowhere in the law is it mentioned that a backbencher or for that matter an Opposition MP cannot exercise his profession. I have simply offered my services as a Barrister. People can browse through the intenet to know that Law Firms do offer their services, and ultimately the choice to retain these services or not rests on the clients.

So far, I have not heard any adverse comments either on my integrity, be it in relation to my performance in Parliament or to my work in my Constituency. Yet, I have been made aware that there is a well-planned systematic political campaign aimed at causing me harm in my political, professional and family life. From the course of events these last few weeks, this contention seems to be very plausible. If certain persons want to fight on the political front, they should openly come forward and not hide themselves behind shields.

I have also noted that some members of one wing of the Opposition were to lodge a complaint against me with the Icac regarding the letter in question. As soon as this proposed initiative was confirmed, I stated publicly that should an enquiry be initiated, I would voluntarily step down as chairperson of the Icac on ethical grounds and for the respect of our institutions. All the same, I am asking myself and would wish that the people themselves including the politicians, the elite, the columnists, the media and the laypersons ask how many post-independence politicians at whom accusing fingers were raised had the courage to take the kind of stand I have taken...

The stand which I have taken is a step forward towards a political culture based on integrity and dignity, which is much needed in our presently vitiated political environment. Yet, it is unfortunate that some persons of the press find this a non-event.

Some are inelegantly contending that I have used my public office as an MP to exercise my influence. This is an utterly incorrect interpretation when in fact I wrote the letter in my capacity as a Barrister. Had I intended to use my public office, would I have written the letter with the standard letterhead that I regularly and readily use in all official correspondences in the exercise of my profession as barrister ? No. If I had to use my public office, I would have written on the standard format provided to all Members of the Parliament, with the letterhead of the National Assembly and my signature followed by ?Member of the National Assembly?. Instead it is a clear I have used my professional seal. I acted in my capacity as a Barrister.

What I have done as a Barrister in different from what I do as a politician. I therefore request enough of mudslinging.

Yatin VARMA