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Nitin Gadkari explains himself, BJP stands by him for now
Clean Media Correspondent
New Delhi, Oct 28 (CMC) The BJP may be standing by its president Nitin Gadkari as of now, but the allegations of dubious business practices involving the Purti Group hang like a damocles sword over his continuance in the post.
On Friday night at a meeting with party leaders, Gadkari explained the charges against him and exuded confidence that he would come out clean in the probe. He left it to the party to decide on his continuance. The party, on its part, decided that with various agencies probing the affairs of Purti Group, it should not allow its decisions to be dictated by media reports.
Though the BJP is silent on whether he will get a second term, any evidence of illegalities in the Purti Group would force a rethink. A party leader said if that happens, Gadkari may himself decide to resign. "He is not the kind of person who will stay if something like that comes out from the probe," the leader said. On Gadkari's second term, BJP sources said the party will cross that bridge when it comes to it. His first term ends in December.
The BJP also had to factor in assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. His resignation at this juncture would be seen as the party's acknowledgement of the charges against its president and could adversely affect the BJP's prospects, particularly in Himachal Pradesh where polling is scheduled for November 4. Gujarat is headed for a two-phase election on December 13 and 17.
Ahead of the meeting, the RSS issued a statement indicating that it was not in favour of taking decisions based on allegations in the media, but also made it clear that its backing for Gadkari would be pulled if he was held guilty in the probe. The meeting of the BJP's top leaders endorsed the Sangh's stand. The Sangh also said it had been "an article of faith with the RSS that any individual or organisation indulging in any illegal activity must be subjected to an impartial probe and all those found guilty be punished," RSS general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi's statement said.
On Saturday, the Sangh reiterated that it would not back corruption, but said it was not in favour of taking decisions based on allegations. "How can we accept only on the basis of allegations. Let investigation be completed in the matter...truth will come itself," Joshi was quoted as saying. He denied that the Sangh was playing "godfather" to Gadkari and said question of his continuance was BJP's concern.
"Gadkari himself has asked for probe into the charges. Law should do its own work," he said. In reply to a question about some people in the Purti group (company owned by Gadkari) having RSS background, he said, "people having links with RSS can go anywhere and this does not concern the Sangh."
Nitin Gadkari explains himself, BJP stands by him for now
Clean Media Correspondent
New Delhi, Oct 28 (CMC) The BJP may be standing by its president Nitin Gadkari as of now, but the allegations of dubious business practices involving the Purti Group hang like a damocles sword over his continuance in the post.
On Friday night at a meeting with party leaders, Gadkari explained the charges against him and exuded confidence that he would come out clean in the probe. He left it to the party to decide on his continuance. The party, on its part, decided that with various agencies probing the affairs of Purti Group, it should not allow its decisions to be dictated by media reports.
Though the BJP is silent on whether he will get a second term, any evidence of illegalities in the Purti Group would force a rethink. A party leader said if that happens, Gadkari may himself decide to resign. "He is not the kind of person who will stay if something like that comes out from the probe," the leader said. On Gadkari's second term, BJP sources said the party will cross that bridge when it comes to it. His first term ends in December.
The BJP also had to factor in assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. His resignation at this juncture would be seen as the party's acknowledgement of the charges against its president and could adversely affect the BJP's prospects, particularly in Himachal Pradesh where polling is scheduled for November 4. Gujarat is headed for a two-phase election on December 13 and 17.
Ahead of the meeting, the RSS issued a statement indicating that it was not in favour of taking decisions based on allegations in the media, but also made it clear that its backing for Gadkari would be pulled if he was held guilty in the probe. The meeting of the BJP's top leaders endorsed the Sangh's stand. The Sangh also said it had been "an article of faith with the RSS that any individual or organisation indulging in any illegal activity must be subjected to an impartial probe and all those found guilty be punished," RSS general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi's statement said.
On Saturday, the Sangh reiterated that it would not back corruption, but said it was not in favour of taking decisions based on allegations. "How can we accept only on the basis of allegations. Let investigation be completed in the matter...truth will come itself," Joshi was quoted as saying. He denied that the Sangh was playing "godfather" to Gadkari and said question of his continuance was BJP's concern.
"Gadkari himself has asked for probe into the charges. Law should do its own work," he said. In reply to a question about some people in the Purti group (company owned by Gadkari) having RSS background, he said, "people having links with RSS can go anywhere and this does not concern the Sangh."
ReplyDeleteGadkari might explain anything but he does not look to be that clean...