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The entry of Ms Sonia Gandhi Into politics at a time when the Bofors pay-off case
is hotting up, is likely to put the fledgling Inder Kumar Gujral Government in yet
another tight spot.
The developments in the Congress have resulted in a fresh speculation over the
longevity of the new United Front (UF) Government. It is felt that the
unravelling of Bofors story could lead to serious strains in the Congress-UF ties.
Prior to Ms Gandhi's decision to take the plunge, the Congress leadership had the
option of shrugging off an adverse fallout arising from the Bofors' investigation
report as 10 Janpath's problem. This was the Congress' final line of defence if
any involvement of the Gandhi family came to light.
However, with Ms Gandhi deciding to play an active role, the Bofors issue has once
again become a Congress matter. The party would be forced to rise to the defence
of its first family if the Bofors trail comes anywhere near 10 Janpath.
The statement of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Joginder Singh
that the final report on Bofors would be ready in a week, has added to the tension
prevailing in the corridors of power. Mr Joginder Singh has further said that the
second bunch of documents was due to arrive from Switzerland in connection with
the Bofors case.
The second bunch of Bofors papers, connected with two frozen Swiss accounts, are
expected to confirm the links of the Non-resident Indian (NRI) Hinduja family with
the pay-offs. The Hindujas were amongst the appellants who contested the Indian
demand that the papers be handed over.
After initially indicating that Rajiv Gandhi was unlikely to be named in the
Bofors report, the CBI later changed its position. Senior CBI sources confirmed
that Rajiv Gandhi could be named in the agency's report for having ordered a
"cover-up" of the scandal. There are strong doubts in both the UF and the Congress
circles over the CBI's "agenda". The agency's decision to seek prosecution of
Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav has landed the Gujral Government in a
crisis. With the Prime Minister adopting a strictly "hands-off" attitude towards
the CBI, and the courts monitoring several of the agency's investigations, it is
felt that there is virtually no executive control on the CBI's actions.
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