Why is Sonia Gandhi silent on black money, asks Rajnath

KOLKATA - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajnath Singh Tuesday criticised United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi for her silence on the issue of black money and asked her to clarify her stand.

“Why is the main leader of Congress Sonia Gandhi on whose whims the government runs, maintaining an unprecedented silence on the issue of black money? I feel surprised. She speaks up on every issue but why is she not speaking up on the issue of black money,” asked Singh while addressing a party rally here.

Earlier this month Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said $462 billion to $1.4 trillion in black money is estimated to have been stashed abroad by Indians and all steps were being taken to bring it back. But the names of the perpetrators can’t be revealed yet, he said.

“Common people of this country want to hear from you Soniaji, what is your stand on the issue of black money. First of all you have to clarify your stand, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will clarify his stand on the issue,” said Singh.

India has started renegotiating its tax agreements with several countries in an effort to track ill-gotten money stashed in tax havens such as Switzerland and many other foreign countries.

Rajnath Singh also mocked the foreign minister for making a wrong speech at the international forum.

“It seems that Congress leaders have lost their mental balance. Foreign Minister of India S. M. Krishna made a wrong speech at an international forum read out the speech which was meant to be read out by the minister of Portugal. He has made a mockery of India,” he said, as he and other BJP leaders launched a broadside againt the omissions and commissions of the government and the ruling coalition.