Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the issue of black money and said the ruling party has remained mum over the issue while the authorities are also tight-lipped. In a hard-hitting editorial in its party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena has alleged that the BJP-ruled Union government is not keen on giving details about black money.

“There are several mysteries in our country. The issue of black money has also become one such mystery. The present rulers had promised to solve the mystery in last Lok Sabha elections by bringing back black money into the country from abroad and depositing Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of every countryman. People also trusted them and voted them into the power. However, the next

Lok Sabha polls are now round the corner, but it’s still not clear how much black money has come out within the country and from abroad. Even the ruling people are tight-lipped about it. Despite the demand from the Central Information Commission, the PMO has refused to provide details about black money brought from abroad, citing Right to Information Act rules,” read the editorial.

“The government has said that black money issue is being investigated by a special team and if details are made public, it would hamper the investigation. Had this reason been given by some others, the present rulers would have made a big hue and cry about it… The black money issue is like cancer, which has affected the entire country. While the government is refusing to divulge its details, some of the reputed international agencies have announced their figures,” read the editorial

“According to the report of Global Financial Integrity Status, black money deposited in foreign countries was Rs 3,430 crore from 2002-2011, whereas, during the period 2005-2014, black money worth Rs 7,700 crore came into the country. Another report says that the proportion of depositing black money into Swiss bank has increased in the last four years. In this backdrop, when the government itself refuses to divulge details about black money, the suspense about the mystery becomes even murkier,” read the editorial.