NDA did not shield Sonia in Bofors: Jaitley

CNN-IBN | 29-Apr 07:20 AM

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Saturday denied allegations that the BJP colluded with the Congress to ensure Sonia Gandhi was not questioned in the Bofors case during the NDA rule.

In an interview with Karan Thapar on 'Devil's Advocate', the BJP leader blamed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for not questioning the Congress President.

Below is an edited excerpt from the interview:

Karan Thapar: If you filed the chargesheet when you were there in power, how come no one took the critical, essential and obvious step of questioning Sonia Gandhi. Once again, I am going to quote Sten Lindstrom. He says if you examine the logic in the documents on the one hand and the direction of the cover-up on the other, that is the obvious step to take.

Arun Jaitley: He may well have the basis to say that...

Karan Thapar: It was never taken...

Arun Jaitley: Well I am afraid he may well have the basis to say that, but the decision whom to question is not taken by the prime minister or the law ministry. It is taken by the CBI. And therefore the CBI will do it on the basis of evidence which the CBI has available.

Karan Thapar: The whole point I am making is that there was a collusion between the BJP and the Congress not to question her... If you see the kind of evidence you will realise for yourself. Evidence number one, you have a contract which AE Services of Mr Quattrocchi entered into which helped the contract to be swung in favour of Bofors. AE Services gets the commission, the person behind AE Services is Mr Quattrocchi. He is Italian. He is a friend of Sonia Gandhi.

Arun Jaitley: He is allowed to escape from India when Mr Narasimha Rao is in power.

Karan Thapar: You are making my case for me. Why then did you not have her questioned?

Arun Jaitley: This is a decision... on the basis of evidence.. the CBI has to take.

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