The letters that stirred up the latest political controversy - Congress president Sonia Gandhi had written to BJP leader L K Advani protesting the BJP task-force report which contended that the former and her late husband Rajiv Gandhi had accounts in Swiss banks parking slush funds.

BJP leaders saw red over Advani's reply, which was seen as something of an "apology" on behalf of the party by the BJP stalwart.

The letter was adressed to Advani as the report was released at a function presided by him, the Congress holds. Senior BJP leaders, however, say that the BJP should not be held accountable as reporting on the black money issue had been outsourced to the task-force.

Here are the reproductions of the actual text of Sonia's letter to Advani and his reply:

Text of Sonia Gandhi's letter to L K Advani

15-2-2011

Dear Shri Advaniji,

My attention has been drawn to a publication titled 'Indian Black Money Abroad
in Secret Banks and Tax Havens' purporting to be a report submitted by a Task
Force appointed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

This so-called report contains reckless and baseless allegations against me and my
family, including my late husband and my mother. These lies, energetically
disseminated from time to time by sections of the media and interested
parties have so far been treated by me with the contempt they deserve.

But I must let you know that I am surprised and disappointed to find a leader of
your stature occupying important positions in the NDA and the BJP endorsing
such scurrilous and malicious fabrications through their release at a function
presided over by you.

Yours sincerely,

Sonia Gandhi

Text of L K Advani's reply to Sonia Gandhi

Feb 16

Dear Smt Sonia ji,

On my return from Kolkata last night, I found your letter dated 15th February awaiting me.

I am happy that you have denied the reports relating to you and your family
alluded to in the Task Force's Report on Black Money.

If these had been denied earlier, the Task Force would have taken your denial
into account. Even so, I deeply regret the distress caused to you.

With best regards,

Yours sincerely,
L K Advani