JAIPUR: Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot has asked the Bharatiya Janata Party to substantiate its allegation that the Manmohan Singh Government at the Centre is trying to protect Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi.

``In fact, it should go to the credit of the United Progressive Alliance Government that he could be arrested during its tenure,'' Mr. Gehlot said.

Come out with specifics

"The BJP leaders should stop this habit of dragging in the name of Congress president Sonia Gandhi every time something on Mr. Quattrocchi comes up anywhere in the world,'' Mr. Gehlot told The Hindu .

``If the BJP has guts, let it come out with the specifics of any effort made in the past or present at some level to protect that person,'' he said.

Mr. Gehlot said the issue had first surfaced some 16 years ago and as many as five Governments had been at the Centre in the past. But none could establish any connection with the Rajiv Gandhi family.

``They have been linking the names of Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for all these years without substantiating the link. Even the High Court has absolved Rajiv Gandhi on the issue,'' he pointed out.

Rahul's growing stature

``The Opposition is trying to rake up the issue once again as they don't have any issue against Sonia Gandhi. This time they even tried to link the name of Rahul Gandhi while shouting slogans in Parliament. Perhaps this is an indication that the Opposition has taken note of the growing stature of Rahul Gandhi as a politician,'' said Mr. Gehlot.

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