Bofors ghost returns to haunt Congress
The opposition led by the BJP is bound to put the ruling coalition on mat seeking extradition of Quattrochi.
By INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK |
NEW DELHI: The Bofors ghost has returned to haunt the ruling Congress with the arrest of Octavio Quattrocchi at an Argentina airport.
With the budget session of the Parliament in progress, the combined opposition led by the BJP is bound to put the ruling coalition on mat seeking extradition of Quattrochi wanted in the Bofors scam in which pay offs were allegedly made to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
His wife, Sonia Gandhi is the President of Congress that is leading the ruling coalition at centre.
While top ruling political leadership is in a consultation mode, sources divulged that Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may file an application before the Argentina authorities within 30 days seeking extradition of Quattrochi.
However, his extradition may turn tricky as India has no pact with Argentina on this count. The problem faced is akin to one encountered by the UPA Government while seeking extradition of Abu Salem from Portugal.
But, the UPA Government has the option to make an official request with the Argentina Government seeking the Italian businessman’s extradition for interrogation in the multi-million Bofors Howitzer guns deal.
Alternatively, a top level CBI team can be dispatched to Argentina to interrogate Quattrocchi who is considered to have close links with late Rajiv Gandhi - Sonia duo.
UPA Government had come under severe attack earlier last year after it allowed de-freezing of Quattrocchi’s accounts that were attached pending investigation of Bofors case.
With Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections round the corner and the Parliament in session, the Opposition has been bestowed with a weapon to put the UPA leadership in a major jam.
With the budget session of the Parliament in progress, the combined opposition led by the BJP is bound to put the ruling coalition on mat seeking extradition of Quattrochi wanted in the Bofors scam in which pay offs were allegedly made to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
His wife, Sonia Gandhi is the President of Congress that is leading the ruling coalition at centre.
While top ruling political leadership is in a consultation mode, sources divulged that Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may file an application before the Argentina authorities within 30 days seeking extradition of Quattrochi.
However, his extradition may turn tricky as India has no pact with Argentina on this count. The problem faced is akin to one encountered by the UPA Government while seeking extradition of Abu Salem from Portugal.
But, the UPA Government has the option to make an official request with the Argentina Government seeking the Italian businessman’s extradition for interrogation in the multi-million Bofors Howitzer guns deal.
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Alternatively, a top level CBI team can be dispatched to Argentina to interrogate Quattrocchi who is considered to have close links with late Rajiv Gandhi - Sonia duo.
UPA Government had come under severe attack earlier last year after it allowed de-freezing of Quattrocchi’s accounts that were attached pending investigation of Bofors case.
With Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections round the corner and the Parliament in session, the Opposition has been bestowed with a weapon to put the UPA leadership in a major jam.
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