Fernandes' Brothers Rubbish Reports about Battle for Assets

Bangalore, Jan 24 (PTI): Brothers of ailing former union minister George Fernandes today rubbished reports about a family feud over sharing of his property and said there was 'suspicion' about the return of the estranged wife of the former firebrand socialist leader. 

"We are not in a battle for (Fernandes') assets", Fernandes' three brothers -- Michael, Aloysius and Richard -- said while describing reports of the family feud for property as "irresponsible and mischievous".

The remarks came amid reports that a feud has broken out among his family and friends over sharing of property of the 79-year-old former defence minister, who has been suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Fernandes' estranged wife Leila Kabir and their only child Sean, who lives in the US, are locked in a battle with his long-time political associate and confidante Jaya Jaitly and Richard Fernandes, one of his four brothers.

Doubting the intention of Leila, returning after a gap of 25 years, Richard and Michael, a Bangalore-based trade union leader, said "If a reunion had taken place then it is a different thing. In the absence of it, there is some suspicion. But we do not want to get into it".
"We are neither with the estranged family nor with Jaya, but with George," they said.
The brothers alleged that George Fernandes had been confined to the house and not allowed to meet anyone, describing it as "unfortunate".

"It effectively shuts George. They are dictating. It is not right. He should meet whoever he should. They should have taken us into confidence", Michael said while flaying Leila and her son for lodging a police complaint.

Leila and Sean had written to the police seeking security for the family, alleging threat to George Fernandes from certain "vested interests". They had also requested the police to bar Jaya Jaitley from visiting their house in Delhi.

Michael and Richard said they were taking legal advice to plan their future course of action to resolve the issues surrounding their brother.
"We will definitely fight for the right of everyone to meet George. Not only four of us, everyone should meet him."

Richard said "George has taken a conscious decision 25 years ago to be with Jaya as his political associate, we respect that decision. And also personal associate. It is very unfortunate that Jaya was being prevented from meeting him."

The trio said their another brother Paul, who is in Toronto (Canada) and could not be present, has endorsed their views on the ongoing controversy.
The properties held by George belong to the family and had not come through any foul means, Michael claimed.