Gadkari dismisses Rahul comment on black money as ''a joke''

Chennai, Jan 30 (PTI) Charging Congress with adoptinga "contradictory stand" on black money stashed abroad byIndian nationals, BJP today derided Congress leader RahulGandhi''s demand to bring such persons to book, calling it "ajoke".

"Congress Ministers have refused to reveal names ofaccount holders in banks abroad, while Rahul Gandhi hasremarked that black money holders should be brought to book.

This statement is nothing but a joke," BJP President NitinGadkari told reporters here.

Coming down on the UPA government for not revealingthe names of Indians who had parked black money in banksoverseas, Gadkari demanded to know why it was hesistant to doso. "What prevents you from doing it?".

Joining the raging debate on black money, Gandhi hadyesterday demanded stringent and speedy action againstcorruption, saying Indian money lying outside the countryshould be brought back.

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

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

He said Opposition Party Leader in the Lok SabhaSushma Swaraj would visit Vedharanyam in Tamil Nadu, thenearest spot to the Sri Lankan Coast and also Sri Lanka inFebruary to acquaint herself with the hardships faced byIndian fishermen.