Oppn accuses government of selective revelations

There is nothing preventing you from giving names to SIT: Cong

Opposition parties on Monday accused the Modi government of “selectively” revealing names of those stashed black money in foreign banks, with the Congress accusing the NDA of indulging in “political titillation”. 

The NDA also faced some friendly fire from BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and Ram Jethmalani who joined the chorus of criticism against the government over the issue.

While Jethmalani dubbed the Centre’s black money revelations as a “damp squib,” Swamy claimed that the government was making “selective” disclosures. Swamy said that the government had taken no action on the black money accounts allegedly held by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul and eight former ministers in the UPA dispensation.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi asked the Modi government to stop “political titillation”. “Whatever you want to state – reveal – do it. Don’t titillate, don’t sensationalise, and don’t play games. There is nothing that prevents you from giving the names to the SIT,” he said.

Singhvi was asked to comment on the Centre’s affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court naming eight persons having black money in foreign bank accounts.

Defending the government move, BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said the Modi government has started acting on its promise to bring back black money stashed in foreign banks and Monday’s affidavit is the first step in that direction.

Asked about names of Congress leaders figuring in the list, Singhvi said “if there is a name, the individual concerned will answer it and it is not proper to take names from the podium of party office”.

CPI asked the government to come out with names of all those who have allegedly stashed illegal money abroad. 

“Government has to answer a lot of questions as there is reluctance on its part to give out all the names. This shows that the government lacks the political will and determination to fulfil its election promises,” party National Secretary D Raja said here.

Jethmalani, who raked up the black money issue in the Supreme Court, accused the government of “recoiling and even going back” on the UPA regime’s stand to disclose all information and documents supplied by Germany on unaccounted money parked by Indians in Liechtenstein Bank.