M A I N   N E W S

Black Money Row
A blunt Sonia letter elicited Advani’s apology
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 19
BJP leader LK Advani created a stir in his party yesterday when he wrote to his political rival Congress president Sonia Gandhi, apologising for naming her and her family, including her husband late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, in a report brought out by a party-appointed task force on black money stashed in foreign banks.

Here’s the text of the letter, written by the Congress president to Advani on February 15, which elicited the much-talked about apology.

Dear Shri Advaniji,
My attention has been drawn to a publication titled “Indian black money abroad in secret banks and tax havens,” purporting to be a report submitted by a task force appointed by the BJP.

This so-called report contains reckless and baseless allegations against me and my family, including my late husband and my mother. These lies energetically disseminated from time to time by sections in the media and interested parties have, so far, been treated by me with the contempt they deserve.

But, I must let you know that I am surprised and disappointed to find a leader of your stature, occupying important positions in the NDA and the BJP, endorsing such scurrilous and malicious fabrications through their release at a function presided over by you.

Yours sincerely,
Sonia Gandhi

Dear Smt Soniaji,
On my return from Kolkata last night, I found your letter dated 15th February awaiting me.

I am happy that you have denied the reports relating to you and your family in the task force's report on black money.

If these had been denied earlier, the task force would have taken your denial into account. Even so, I deeply regret the distress caused to you.

Yours sincerely,
LK Advani