Do not play games, Congress tells govt on black money

Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi says if there is a name from Congress party, the individual concerned will answer

With disclosure of several names of those who have allegedly stashed black money in foreign banks, Congress today asked the government to refrain from "political titillation, press sensationalisation and playing games" on the issue to target its opponents.

Advocating that there was a need to look at the issue with broader perspective, party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said "Congress' stand is clear and remains unchanged. It is not an occasion for press sensationalisation and political titillation.

"They are the government. They control ministries and departments. They should act....Do not play games."

Replying to questions about names of Congress leaders figuring in the list, Singhvi said "if there is a name, the individual concerned will answer it and it is not proper to take names from the podium of party office".

He said the larger question is where is the 55,000 names as promised by Yoga guru Ramdev and tonnes of money projected by them. He dismissed the whole campaign of BJP on the issue of black money as "much ado about nothing".

Wondering whether they have been able to bring back even Rs 55 from the 55,000 names they were claiming, he asked as to why the names have not been made public.

Singhvi's remarks came on a day when the Centre disclosed before the Supreme Court eight more names including that of Pradip Burman, one of Dabur India promoters, a bullion trader and Goa miners against whom it has started prosecution for allegedly stashing black money in foreign banks.