Political circles were abuzz with Nitin Gadkari’s bid for the BJP president’s post after a recent clarification by Income-Tax authorities cleared him of irregularities in his business. This had that led to his vacating the slot for the present incumbent Rajnath Singh.
The IT clarification that there is no inquiry pending against Gadkari or Purti Group that he heads seems to have coincided with favourable predictions for the BJP in the general elections.
Although Rajnath has maintained that he would “like to continue serving the organisation”, there is a likelihood of him joining the government in the case of a BJP victory.
In this context, heightened activity from Gadkari’s quarters is being construed in the BJP circles as him projecting his candidature for the top job in the party.
Soon after the clean chit from the IT Department, Gadkari met Narendra Modi, senior party leader LK Advani and the top brass of the RSS.
He reportedly told them that “injustice” was done to him and he should be allowed to have a second term in office.
Gadkari, however, denied these speculations.