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Khalap denies BJP's Bofors charges

Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap has denied that the United Front government was deliberately withholding the findings of its investigation in the Bofors gun deal.

Reacting to Bharatiya Janata Party president Lal Kishinchand Advani and its prime ministerial nominee Atal Bihari Vajpayee's charge that the government was not making public whatever it can, the minister said, ''The government findings are not independent. They are based on the Bofors papers of the Swiss bank. It is one whole document."

He said the government has clarified its position -- that the documents cannot be made public following an undertaking given to the Swiss courts -- in Parliament.

Asked if Sonia Gandhi, who the first raised the demand, was not aware of these facts, he said, ''You draw your own conclusions.''

The minister was non-committal when asked if the United Front would reveal the names of the Bofors beneficiaries if it was returned to power.

Asked to comment on Vajpayee's assurance that the names would be disclosed if the BJP comes to power, he said, ''You ask him how he will do it.''

Khalap disagreed with Samata Party chief George Fernandes's contention that foreign-borns should not hold high offices.

''The Constitution of India allows every citizen of the country to occupy high offices of the State," the minister said.

Asked if the Constitution would be amended in this regard, he said, ''I have not applied my mind to the issue.''

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