BJP to decide Gadkari's fate: RSS

Rubbishing reports that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh plays "godfather" to the Bharatiya Janata Party President Nitin Gadkari, the Sangh on Saturday said it was for BJP to decide the fate of its president in the wake of corruption charges against him, but there was no need to quit only on the basis of allegations.

"You say it...it is not so," RSS Sarkaryavah Bhayyaji Joshi told reporters when asked whether RSS is playing godfather to Gadkari.

In reply to a question whether Gadkari should tender his resignation as President of the BJP in the wake of the allegation of dubious funding for companies run by him, Joshi said it was a concern of the BJP.

"This is not our subject. It is an internal matter of BJP and they should take a decision on the issue," he said.

He, however, said there was no need to quit only on the basis of certain allegations.

"How can we accept only on the basis of allegations. Let the investigation be completed in the matter...truth will come itself," he said.

"Gadkari himself has asked for probe into the charges. Law should do its own work," Joshi, who was here in connection with function of an institution close to Sangh ideology, said.

Asked if RSS is applying double-standards on the issue of Gadkari as BJP veterans L K Advani and its former party chief Bangaru Laxman had to quit posts in the wake of corruption charges against them, Joshi said "this is not a subject of RSS...it can be answered by Gadkari and the BJP."

On relations between RSS and BJP, he said they were separate organisations.

In reply to a question that there are 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."