The Opposition parties on Monday launched a scathing attack on the NDA Government terming the dispensation lack political will in coming out with the names of big fish who have allegedly stashed black money in foreign banks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been spared by even his party’s long time associate, former Union Minister and eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani who raked up the black money issue in the Supreme Court. He accused Modi of “resiling and even going back” on the stand taken by the UPA regime for disclosing all information and documents supplied by Germany on unaccounted money parked by Indians in liechtenstein Bank.
While the Congress asked the Government to refrain from “political titillation, Press sensationalisation and playing games” on the issue, the NDA’s former ally the JD(U) blamed the BJP leaders’ of having “black mind” and also mocked the party as “Bhrasht Jhoothi Party’. The CPI asked the Government to come out with names saying the Modi-led dispensation lacked political will to do so.
Advocating that there was a need to look into the issue with a broader perspective, AICC spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, “Congress’ stand is clear and remains unchanged. It is not an occasion for Press sensationalisation and political titillation. They are the Government. They control Ministries and departments. They should act... Do not play games.”
He said the larger question is where are the 55,000 names as promised by Yoga guru Ramdev and tonnes of money projected by them. He dismissed the whole campaign of the BJP on the issue of black money as “much ado about nothing”.
Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pointed that the approach of the BJP on the issue of black money reflects black mind of its leaders. Kumar, a known rival of Modi, through his Facebook account also lampooned the PM and his predecessor Manmohan Singh through pictures to drive home his point.
“The party which had sought votes on the issue of corruption and black money has come out with only eight names which they are not confirming,” Kumar said.BJP spokeperson Sambit Patra said the Modi Government has started acting on its promise to bring back black money stashed in foreign banks and affidavit is the first step in that direction.
CPI asked the Government to come out with names of all those who have allegedly stashed illegal money abroad. “The Government has to answer a lot of questions as there is a 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.
Jethmalani said after the July 2011 verdict on black money, the UPA Government had only sought recall of direction for formation of SIT but did not ask for modification or clarification on the issue of liechtenstein Bank accounts which is now being sought by NDA Government.
“The present administration has resiled from this position and now after over three years is praying for modification/ clarification of the judgement and order of July 4, 2011 in connection with the disclosure regarding liechtenstein Bank accounts of Indians,” the expelled BJP leader said while opposing Centre’s plea to modify the order.
Jetmalani alleged that the application was an attempt by the NDA Government to make apex court-appointed SIT “dysfunctional and toothless” by depriving it of materials and information and the plea was not “bonafide” and an “abuse” of process of the court.
BlACK MONEY: A TIMElINE