As the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is engrossed in solving an internal crisis over corruption allegations against party President Nitin Gadkari the ruling Congress has grabbed the opportunity to get even.

Attacking the BJP’s “double standards”, the Congress said the BJP did not wait to make “baseless allegations” against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the coal scam.

Party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary wanted the Opposition party to “explain” how they gave a clean chit to Gadkari. She, however, did not demand Gadkari’s resignation as BJP President and said it was an internal BJP matter.

A meeting of BJP’s core committee on Tuesday said Gadkari had no direct or indirect interest in the 18 investment companies that invested in the Purti Group. RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy who was conducting an internal probe on the issue, had made a presentation to the party leaders on the issue and said there was no legal or moral wrong-doing by Gadkari.

“The party has full faith in the leadership of Gadkari,” the BJP had said.

The Congress wondered how the informer, investigator and the judge could be the same person.

“The questions that are being raised about the BJP President are a result of the party’s internal fights. And those who call themselves social workers are just a B team of one of the BJP camps,” he said.

Jethmalani slams decision

Meanwhile, the BJP core group’s announcement could not ensure peace within the BJP.

Party MP Ram Jethmalani slammed the meeting’s decision to back Gadkari. He termed the decision as “betrayal” of the people. “In this respect, the party’s decision has sapped my vitality...I wish good luck to Gadkari, Gurumurthy and the members of the core group,” he said in a statement.

BJP insiders said it would be difficult for the RSS to ensure a second term for Gadkari as not just a section of the BJP, but top leaders of the RSS also do not agree with the justifications provided by Gadkari.

jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics