Joshi puts Sonia in dock over Quattrocchi

Patna, Feb 27(UNI) Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi today put Congress president Sonia Gandhi in dock for the laxity of UPA government in extradition of Ottavio Quattrocchi from Argentina.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Joshi said Ms Gandhi could not shrug off her responsibility in the attempt of UPA government to shield Mr Quattrocchi, who is wanted by the CBI in connection with the 'unlawful' dealing in the purchase of Bofors tank from Sweden.

He alleged that the UPA government had allowed Mr Quattrochi go scot free by delaying the process of his extradition from Argentina and said the cover up opeartion was done at the instance of Ms Gandhi.

''Silence of Ms Gandhi over the issue was mysterious as she was very close to him and any attempt of the UPA government to save him was being done at her instance,'' Mr Joshi maintained.

He further added that the Centre had kept news about Mr Quattrocchi's detention by the Interpol in Argentina under wrap and even mislead the apex court.

Referring to Indo-Pak relations, Mr Joshi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should not have considered the four point formula offered by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the Kashmir issue.

He also lambasted the Centre for the high rate of inflation and held the government's flawed policy responsible.

'' During the NDA rule, the prices of essential commodities were under control,'' he claimed.

Expressing his pleasure over the results of Assembly elections in Uttarakhand and Punjab, he said that the trend would continue to be in NDA's favour in the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh by-polls.

UNI