Salient Points of Press Conference of Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson Shri Gaurav Bhatia
Chitra Subramaniam's book, Boforsgate, exposes the Bofors scam, revealing Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi's involvement in brokerage and betrayal of the nation
******************
The Bofors brokerage scandal is a stain on Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi that can never be erased
******************
Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian citizen, shared a close association with Rajiv Gandhi. He openly asserted that he could secure defense deals or contracts in India for any company seeking them
******************
During Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister, defence deal files were first sent to Ottavio Quattrocchi before reaching the Minister. He would alter and modify them as needed to secure the contract for a specific company
******************
When the bank accounts of these middlemen were frozen, the UPA government obstructed the CBI from acting independently and ensured the de-freezing of Quattrocchi's bank accounts
******************
Rather than standing with the people of the country and the Indian Army, the so-called Gandhi family stood with middlemen like Ottavio Quattrocchi
******************
When Indian soldiers were demanding bulletproof jackets, the Congress government was busy executing yet another scam—AgustaWestland. Sonia Gandhi was arranging VVIP helicopters for herself, while the country's soldiers were risking their lives to protect the nation without even having bulletproof jackets
******************
Mallikarjun Kharge must clarify whether he stands with the nation and its armed forces or with the corrupt Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi
******************
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should resign from their positions and reveal the entire truth before the people of India
******************
Sonia Gandhi is out on bail in corruption cases, so is Rahul Gandhi, and even their son-in-law. If there is any single most corrupt family in the world, it is the Gandhi family
******************
Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson Shri Gaurav Bhatia addressed a press conference at the party's central office on Tuesday. During the conference, Shri Bhatia, referencing facts from author Chitra Subramaniam’s book on the Bofors scam, sharply criticized the Gandhi family's involvement in the scandal. He asserted that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should step down from their positions until they fully disclose their ties with the Ottavio Quattrocchi family.
Shri Bhatia stated that it is well known that the Nakli ‘Gandhi’ family is involved in commission-based dealings, but the latest revelations go beyond that. It would not be wrong to say that this Nakli ‘Gandhi’ family has also betrayed the nation and its citizens. Boforsgate, a recently published book by Chitra Subramaniam has brought to light deeply concerning revelations. The findings once again expose how both Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were not only involved in brokerage but also betrayed the nation. The book unveils critical details about the Bofors scandal, revealing major new facts. Fresh information has surfaced, necessitating this press conference. It clearly uncovers a massive defence deal scam—one that was initially exposed but later concealed by the Nakli ‘Gandhi’ family.
BJP National Spokesperson Shri Bhatia emphasized that the Bofors scandal remains a permanent stain on the legacy of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. However, the latest revelations raise even more serious concerns about national security and other critical issues. One of the key facts that has emerged is related to Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian citizen. It is well known that Sonia Gandhi, originally Antonia Maino, also hails from Italy, making this deep-rooted Italian connection impossible to overlook. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Rajiv Gandhi and Ottavio Quattrocchi were like “brothers from different mothers.” Their association was so strong that Quattrocchi openly claimed he could secure any defense contract or deal in India. Whenever he approached companies—whether Bofors or others—he assured them contracts, due to his deep and close ties with Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
Shri Bhatia stated that a highly serious issue has emerged. It is deeply troubling that during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister, defence deal files were first sent to Ottavio Quattrocchi before even reaching the concerned ministry or the Prime Minister himself. Ottavio Quattrocchi would modify these files, making necessary alterations to secure contracts for specific companies. Only after these changes were made did the files proceed to the concerned ministry and then to Rajiv Gandhi for approval. The Prime Minister, ministers, and Members of Parliament all take an oath under the Constitution, and ministers specifically take an oath of secrecy. It is explicitly stated that no minister shall communicate or disclose any matter under their consideration or any sensitive information that comes to their knowledge to any other person or entity, except as required for the due discharge of their official duties.
BJP National Spokesperson Shri Bhatia questioned why sensitive and confidential defence files were being sent to Ottavio Quattrocchi? It is deeply unfortunate that such middlemen were allowed to operate in India, with their only qualification being their Italian origin. Sonia Gandhi, originally Antonia Maino, also came from Italy and had close ties with Quattrocchi and his family. Those responsible for taking action against such brokers, ensuring they were behind bars, and standing with the nation, its citizens, and the armed forces instead chose to align themselves with these middlemen. Sonia Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and the Nakli ‘Gandi’ family stood with brokers rather than safeguarding national interests. It is highly concerning that a mere middleman wielded such influence that he could directly communicate with the Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, and guarantee various companies that he could secure contracts for them.
Shri Bhatia highlighted that when Quattrocchi’s accounts were frozen, particularly during the UPA government’s tenure, the CBI was reduced to a puppet. Instead of allowing it to function independently, legal officers from India were sent to London to ensure that Quattrocchi’s accounts were unfrozen. By the end of 2005 and into 2006, these accounts were defrozen. When the Congress-led Gandhi family’s corruption was exposed, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was asked why this had happened. When questioned on whether the frozen accounts could have remained frozen, his response on February 1, 2006, was simply, “This was the decision of the CBI.”
BJP National Spokesperson Shri Bhatia questioned, “Is this not a betrayal of the nation?” Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi must answer to the people of the country, as they believe that Rajiv Gandhi had betrayed the nation, and now they have done the same. Until they fully disclose their relationship with the Quattrocchi family, they have no right to continue as MPs. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should resign from their positions—this is the least they can do for the people of this country. The Indian Ambassador to Sweden between 1984 and 1988 has also stated that Rajiv Gandhi was the kingpin, facilitator and had very close ties with Ottavio Quattrocchi. The then CAG report had clearly pointed out that the evaluation of competing guns was seriously flawed and that no Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) was prepared. Is this not an indictment? Should Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi not come clean and give an answer to the country? It is now clear that Sonia Gandhi, the Gandhi family, and the Quattrocchi family are inseparable—like a pizza, where one is the base and the other is the cheese; they are incomplete without each other.
Shri Bhatia stated that it has already been mentioned how the accounts held by Ottavio Quattrocchi were defrozen on the instructions of Sonia Gandhi during the UPA tenure. It is also crucial to note that the Congress government of the time allowed Quattrocchi to escape. The reason is evident—uncomfortable facts were surfacing, revealing the true story that Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were involved in facilitating kickbacks and commissions.
BJP National Spokesperson Shri Bhatia further questioned that for 10 years, the Indian Army and Air Force were demanding Rafale jets, yet the deal could not materialize. Was it because the Gandhi family was waiting for its commission? It seems that in every defence deal, their only concern was how much black money would flow into their coffers. Secondly, when our soldiers were in dire need of bulletproof jackets, another scam—the Agusta Westland scam—took place under the Congress government. At that time, Sonia Gandhi was busy arranging VIP choppers for herself, while our brave soldiers were risking their lives without basic protective gear. However, when Modi-ji's government came to power, 2,30,000 bulletproof jackets were swiftly procured and provided to the Indian Army. The question is: was every defence deal during the Congress rule delayed only because they were fixated on grabbing commissions? The most important thing is that the scam at that time was estimated to be around ₹1,500 crore to ₹2,000 crore. The nation wants to know—how much of this commission did Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi take for their personal expenses? It would not be wrong to ask—what exactly was the relationship between the so-called Gandhi family and the Quattrocchi family? This question will be asked again and again until the truth comes out.
Shri Bhatia stated that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should resign from all their posts and voluntarily make a full disclosure on this crucial issue. The people of the country today believe that if there is any family most deeply embroiled in corruption, it is the Gandhi family. Sonia Gandhi is out on bail, so is Rahul Gandhi, and even their son-in-law. We will definitely ask a question to Mallikarjun Kharge ji—when we are talking about the security of the country, will the Congress party and Mallikarjun Kharge stand with the nation and its army, or will they stand with the corrupt Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to defend them? We believe that regardless of party affiliation, a leader's first duty is to stand with the country. If this is true, then the demand we have raised must be met—Mallikarjun Kharge ji should ensure that Sonia Gandhi resigns, Rahul Gandhi steps down as Leader of the Opposition, and a full disclosure is made before the people of India. If this does not happen, it will be clear that the remote-controlled Party President lacks the backbone to ask this crucial question to the Gandhi family and compel them to answer before the people of India.
******************
To Write Comment Please Login
.gif)
