BARODA: Opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani expressed his apprehensions that a strong lobby within the ruling Congress (I) was keen on suppressing Bofors investigations and former External Affairs Minister Madhavsinh Solanki episode was the handiwork of such an element.
Talking to newspersons on Saturday during his days visit to Baroda Mr Advani said he was shocked to hear that Mr. Solanki told a gathering in Ahmedabad on his return that “he had done his duty”. He said while the Prime Minister Mr. P.V Narasimha Rao had on record said that the Solanki episode has greatly embarrassed the government the former external affairs ministers statement has come out in the open as a side mystery like the one in crime novels.
Mr. Advani said that even the Indian ambassador Mr. Mangal Murthy was present when the “transaction” between two external ministers took place in a foreign country and what actually happened should be made public.
When asked he said he did not make any specific allegations against anybody but the fact was he was unable to digest the version with regards to the Solanki episode given by the Prime Minister on the floor of the House and the one given by Mr. Solanki himself on return to his home state.
The former BJP president said that the manner in which Mr. Solanki has expressed his pride and satisfaction by saying that “I have done my duty” was really surprising.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 24, 1992
