BJP says no ''clean chit'' to Sonia on black money issue

New Delhi, Feb 21 (PTI) Notwithstanding senior BJP leaderL K Advani''s regret letter to Sonia Gandhi, his party todaysaid the Congress president or her late husband Rajiv Gandhihad not been given a "clean chit" on the issue of black money.

"It is not a clean chit. Investigations into blackmoney parked abroad are still on and one should wait for theprocess to end," BJP Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Gopinath Mundetold reporters here.

He was asked whether Advani''s letter meant the party hascleared Gandhi''s name in the black money issue.

In his brief letter to Gandhi on Thursday last, Advanihad said "I am happy that you have denied the reports relatingto you and your family alluded to in the Task Force''s Reporton Black Money.

"If these had been denied earlier the Task Force wouldhave taken your denial into account. Even so, I deeply regretthe distress caused to you."

The BJP leader expressed regret after Gandhi sent him aterse letter, saying she did not expect a leader of his"stature" to level such allegations.

Meanwhile, NDA convenor Sharad Yadav defended Advani''sletter to Gandhi.

"The allegations were never refuted. But when she refutedthe charge, Advani accepted it...we are in politics and fightfor what is right," said Yadav, the chief of JD(U) which is akey ally of the BJP.

He said the issue of black money stashed abroad would betaken up during the Budget session by the NDA. "We have beenraising this issue and continue to do so...it is a big issue,"he said.