The BJP, which has been at the forefront of several exposes in the past, is now fighting shy of explaining allegations against its own national president Nitin Gadkari. However, Maharashtra leaders, while keeping quiet on the issue, have rallied in support of their national leader.
While BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar did not want to comment on the issue, Leader of the Opposition in the state legislative council MLC Vinod Tawde said that the party had no links with the controversial firm, Purti Power and Sugar Ltd, of which Mr Gadkari was part of.
Mr Tawde said Mr Gadkari had resigned as chairman of the firm almost a year ago. “As BJP has no links with the firm, the party will not be issuing any statements regarding Purti Power and Sugar Ltd row,” Mr Tawde said. Party leader Ashish Shelar went a step forward to defend Mr Gadkari, saying there was no proof he was directly involved in any corrupt practices. “There could be irregularities by people in the company, but that does not mean that Mr Gadkari had anything to do with it. Like Mr Gadkari, we too are demanding a proper inquiry into the issue…it is possible that names of many people from the ruling party could come up,” he said. However, with the RSS washing its hands off the controversy, calling it the “BJP’s internal issue”, all eyes are set on November 4 when BJP leaders meet in Delhi. Mr Gadkari landed in trouble after media reports of Purti Power and Sugar Ltd., a Nagpur-based firm floated by him in 2000, financially funding others without substantiating its own transactions.
Further reports pointed out a possible nexus between Mr Gadkari awarding several contracts to IRB Private Ltd., during his stint as Maharashtra’s PWD minister between 1995-99, and the finances received by Purti Power and Sugar Ltd.