New Delhi: The BJP Tuesday came out in support of beleaguered party chief Nitin Gadkari, who faces allegations of financial impropriety in his business dealings, saying a probe had shown that he had done “no legal or moral wrongâ€.
Addressing the media after a two-hour meeting of its core group, Bharatiya Janata Party chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad also said that the party “endorses Gadkari’s stand that he is ready and willing to face a probe†into his business dealings.
Gadkari has been under attack for alleged dubious funding of his Purti Group. He has denied the charges.
According to Prasad, senior BJP leaders had called chartered accountant S. Gurumurthy to the meeting to apprise them of his findings after going through the documents provided by Gadkari. Senior leader L.K. Advani did not attend the meeting as he had already been apprised by Gurumurthy of his findings, while Gadkari kept away so that the talks could be held in an “impartial and free mannerâ€.
Prasad read out a joint statement by senior party leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley which said:
“The meeting accepted the presentation of Gurumurthy that there was no legal or moral wrongdoing by Gadkari.â€
“The party endorses the stand of Gadkari that he is ready and willing to face an enquiry.
“He has no direct or indirect interest in the 18 investment companies that have invested in Purti Group.
“The party has full faith in the leadership of Gadkari.
“The party appeals to all its leaders and workers not to air such views in public which hurt the image of the party.â€
Mahesh Jethmalani resigned from the party national executive Monday saying he had no faith in Gadkari in the wake of allegations against him and was against his getting a second term as party chief.
