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Tehran, March 14 (IANS) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Wednesday appeared before parliament for an inquiry into his economic and political policies, state news agency IRNA reported. Ahmadinejad is the first president to be brought before parliament over his rule since the founding of the Islamic republic in 1979, said RIA Novosti. The president was summoned to answer charges that he has mismanaged the nation's economy, defied the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and attempted to loosen up Islamic rules on clothing for women and on gender relations. The accusations also include wasting resources on government handouts. Critics say Ahmadinejad's withdrawal of food and fuel subsidies resulted in rampant inflation. In parliament, the president gave a defiant and at times mocking defence of his policies and rejected attempts to embarrass him with questions. He also downplayed the significance of the questioning, saying it was parliament's right and not out of the ordinary. "I was ready to answer questions before the election," Ahmadinejad said, referring to recent parliamentary polls. "But I thought it might have an impact on election results and then I would be blamed for it. I am the easiest to blame," he said.
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