New Delhi: Pledging to set an example in the
fight against black money, BJP-led NDA on Tuesday said it would
direct its chief ministers and seniormost leaders to declare
their assets and asked the government to make all efforts to
bring Indian slush funds stashed in tax havens.
Senior NDA leaders held a press conference to present
the report of a task force appointed by BJP to look into the
issue of Indian black money stashed abroad and ways of dealing
with the issue.
"We liked (the report) and the NDA also said it is
appropriate that all those holding political office, whether
we are members of Parliament, whether we are leaders of
political parties recognised by the Election Commission....
".... or even Central office-bearers of the political
parties, or MPs. We would like all of them to be obligated to
tell the government that we have no money abroad," NDA Working
chairperson L K Advani said.
The NDA leaders endorsed the suggestions of the report
which targets corrupt politicians as well.
"There should be a general, not specifically against any
persons, FIR against (those keeping black money abroad). It
has been done in the case of terrorism in Punjab, in the North
East... in Nagaland," Advani said.
The senior leader quoted a recent survey which claimed
that the general perception among people about politicians is
that around 60 per cent of them are corrupt.
Taking a cue from Advani, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash
Singh Badal said, "A big issue has come up in the country...
NDA chief ministers should first give in writing and announce
their assets and tell the government that it can seize any
black money they have."
Asked if he agreed with Badal and whether Karnataka
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa should also declare his assets,
Advani replied in the affirmative, saying all BJP and NDA
chief ministers should do so.
PTI
