BJP to raise black money issue in winter session: Advani

VADODARA: Senior BJP leader L K Advani today said his party would raise the issue of black money stashed in foreign banks in the winter session of Parliament beginning November 22.

Addressing a public meeting here, Advani alleged that the Union government was not taking any steps to bring back black money even when many foreign countries had shown willingness to disclose names of those who had parked money there.

He said that Swiss government has adopted Restitution of Illegal Asset Act long time ago under which the Swiss government would cooperate with respective governments in returning money to the country. But the Indian government has not taken any initiative in this regard, he alleged.

Advani also justified his decision on starting the Jan Chetna Yatra from the birth place of Jayprakash Narayan in Bihar saying it was to mark the birth anniversary of the great leader.

Some news reports had earlier stated that he opted to start the yatra from Bihar rather than Porbander, Mahatma Gandhi's birth place following differences with Modi.

Advani said his relationship with Modi is from the days of Jan Sangh spreading over four decades while people of Gujarat started knowing Modi ten years ago when he became chief minister.

Advani showered praise on Modi saying he was honest and hard working, and that is why his yatra was getting tremendous response from people of Gujarat.