Shatrughan joins Jethmalani, Yashwant in demanding Gadkari's resignation

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In mounting dissidence, BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday joined Ram Jethmalani and Yashwant Sinha in demanding the resignation of party President Nitin Gadkari facing allegations of corruption.

"The issue raised by them (Jethmalani and Yashwant Sinha) should be looked at seriously," Shatrughan Sinha, BJP Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib, told reporters here in replying to a question whether he agreed with the other two BJP leaders' demand for Gadkari's resignation.

The actor-turned-BJP leader said "he (Gadkari) is a friend but a person occupying a responsibile post should not only be honest but should also be seen as honest."

Jethmalani, while demanding Gadkari's resignation, had claimed some other BJP leaders were with him on the demand for Gadkari's exit as party chief.

The campaign for the resignation of beleagured Gadkari had recently got fresh ammunition with Yashwant Sinha demanding that he step down immediately. Earlier, Jethmalani and his son Mahesh had made the demand in the wake of reports of alleged dubious financing of Purti Sugar and Power Group, which was promoted by Gadkari.

Praising Yashwant Sinha and Ram Jethmalani, Shatrughan Sinha said they are capable persons and have all the qualification to become Prime Minister of the country.

"But among the present leaders in BJP, L.K. Advani is the best candidate for the PM's post."

Shatrughan Sinha endorsed Jethmalani's views on the appointment of Ranjit Sinha, a Bihar cadre IPS officer, as CBI Director.

"An important organisation like CBI cannot be kept headless ... The appointment of its new director has been done in a fair manner," he told PTI.

Ranjit Sinha is the senior most IPS officer and a 'competent' officer to occupy the responsible post of CBI Director, he added.

Jethmalani flayed BJP during the day for criticising the appointment of new CBI Director and had said the government's decision has averted a national calamity".

Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding that the decision on the appointment of Ranjit Sinha be kept in abeyance.