NEW DELHI, Nov 10: After eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani, another BJP leader today raised the issue of allegations against party president Nitin Gadkari saying that after the charges against his Purti Group he should take ‘appropriate step’.
In an apparent demand that Mr Gadkari should step down from the BJP president’s post, party National Executive member Jagadish Shettigar said he should take a ‘appropriate step’ in the wake of charges of dubious funding of his Purti Group.
“In view of allegations, Mr Gadkari should consider appropriate step at the earliest in the interest of the party,” Mr Shettigar told.
Mr Shettigar cited the example of BJP veteran L K Advani who had stepped down when allegations were levelled against him in the Hawala case. Mr Advani had also announced that he will not contest any elections till he comes clear of the allegations.
“Although it is true that allegation is not established, but a political party should not wait till the issue is not settled,” Mr Shettigar added.
He further said Mr Gadkari was also a ‘Swayamsewak’ (RSS worker) whose ‘dharma’ (principle) was to protect the interest of the country first and then protect the interest of the organisation.
Before Mr Shettigar, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani and his son Mahesh Jethmalani had said Mr Gadkari should immediately step down from his post as the charges against him were ‘damaging’ the party’s image.
Mr Jethmalani claimed to have the support of other senior party leaders like Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha.
However, the BJP has supported Mr Gadkari saying that the party has “full faith in his leadership.” (UNI)
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