BJP dismisses media reports, rallies behind Gadkari

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday night set at rest speculation about the fate of its President Nitin Gadkari, facing flak over the affairs of his company, by expressing its unanimous support to his continuance in office and dismissed media reports of his impending resignation as "baseless and untrue".

"Since Nitin Gadkari has himself offered to face any inquiry, the unanimous view of the party is that it is solidly behind him. All media speculation about his resignation are baseless and untrue," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters.

He was speaking after Gadkari held a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley, General Secretary Vijay Goel and some of the spokespersons, including Javadekar.

Earlier, soon after Gadkari arrived in Delhi from Nagpur on Friday evening, he called on L K Advani and held a one-on-one meeting with the veteran leader.

Gadkari will also carry on with his scheduled programmes and appointments. He will leave for assembly poll-bound Himachal Pradesh to address election meetings on Saturday.

Sources said though RSS has made it clear that it has nothing to do with the allegations over the corporate dealings of any individual and wants an impartial probe as well as punishment to the guilty, there should be no trial by the media.

After putting all its support behind Gadkari, it would not like to buckle under pressure and give up. The mood is to wait and watch the outcome of the investigations.

Certain sections of BJP are, however, of the opinion that a second term for Gadkari as party President may become untenable. But a clear picture is yet to emerge.

The Purti Group company, with which Gadkari is associated and over which there are allegations of dubious funding, also issued a statement that it has been complying with requirements of laws from time to time and expected a fair inquiry by the ministry of corporate affairs.

The company is facing a government probe into its funding.