Nitin Gadkari dismisses Rahul Gandhi's comments on black money as 'a joke'

Charging Congress with adopting a "contradictory stand" on black money stashed abroad by Indian nationals, the BJP today derided Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's demand to bring such persons to book, calling it "a joke".

"Congress ministers have refused to reveal names of account holders in banks abroad, while Rahul Gandhi has remarked that black money holders should be brought to book. This statement is nothing but a joke," BJP president Nitin Gadkari told reporters here.

Coming down hard on the UPA government for not revealing the names of Indians who had parked black money in banks overseas, Gadkari demanded to know why it was hesistant to do so. "What prevents you from doing it?".

Joining the raging debate on black money, Gandhi had yesterday demanded stringent and speedy action against corruption, saying Indian money lying outside the country should be brought back.

Gadkari dismissed as an "eyewash", the visit of Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to Sri Lanka tomorrow to discuss with the island government the issue of attacks on Indian fishermen allegedly by it's navy.

"The Congress is not serious about it (attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy)," Gadkari said.

He said opposition party Leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj would visit Vedharanyam in Tamil Nadu, the nearest spot to the Sri Lankan Coast and also Sri Lanka in February to acquaint herself with the hardships faced by Indian fishermen.