Oppn raising "phantom of Bofors" in Quattrocchi case: Congress

Congress today defended government's decision to withdraw the Bofors pay-off case against Ottavio Quattrocchi, saying the opposition had brought the "phantom of Bofors" often though the case could not withstand legal scrutiny.

"The opposition has been bringing out the phantom of Bofors from the cupboard and playing it again and again for the last 23 years but whenever this issue went to any court in India or abroad, it could not withstand legal scrutiny," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

Defending the government's decision, which was conveyed to the Supreme Court today, Tewari said," CBI has reached the conclusion that nothing can be done legally in the matter any more. People should respect the agency's decision".

Tewari dismissed BJP's claim that Quattrocchi was being shielded by the government.
   
"Just because it suits some opposition leaders who have built their career by making hulla-ballu about it, it doesn't mean that the issue should not be brought to an end," he said.

Attacking BJP for raking up the issue, Tewari said BJP has been screaming conspiracy since 1987 to 2009.

"From 1998 to 2004, four orders of Malayasian courts came when NDA was in government (but Quattrocchi's guilt could not be proved).... This proves that Bofors was nothing but a political balloon," Tewari said.