The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Wednesday questioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for showing hesitancy in revealing the names of those who have black money stashed in safe havens abroad and asked it to show seriousness by keeping its commitment on this issue.
"The country needs to know who all are in possession of black money, either abroad or in India. Why is the government hesitating to come forward with the names? We have been demanding all the names must be revealed and raised this issue both inside and outside the Parliament. It is not a question of whether it will embarrass the BJP or the Congress. It is not an issue between the Congress and the BJP. It is an issue concerning the entire nation," CPI leader D Raja told ANI.
Reacting to the Congress daring the government to reveal the names of all the black money account holders, Raja said, "The reaction from the Congress party on this issue is on expected lines, because firstly it was unwarranted on the part of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to make such a statement saying revealing some names will embarrass the Congress party."It was a political statement and it is not a question of whether revealing some names are going to embarrass the Congress or is going to embarrass the BJP," he added.
Stating that this unaccounted money belonged to the nation, Raja said that unearthing the funds was the responsibility of the government.
"Black money is unaccounted money which genuinely belongs to the country and those who are in possession of black money are committing a crime against the nation. It is the responsibility of the government to unearth black money, whether it is in abroad or inside the country," he said. "The BJP should stand by its commitment. Before the elections, the party was talking on the issue of black money. Now they must show their commitment and political will to reveal the names to unearth black money," Raja said.
Earlier in the day, the Congress dared the government to reveal the names of all the black money account holders and said that it was ready for a probe against it on the issue. This reaction came after the Centre had last week told the Supreme Court that it cannot disclose the names of all those having black money stashed abroad as it violated the double taxation avoidance agreement.