New Delhi, Oct 23: Maverick BJP MP Ram Jethmalani today demanded Nitin Gadkari's resignation from the post of party president, after a leading daily came out with revelations that Gdkari's driver, accountant and employees were directors of investor companies who invested money in the Purti group.
Jethmalani told India TV: “I can only tell you, had I been president of the party in Gadkari's place, what should I have done? I would have resigned till the time I was cleared of all charges”.
”I don't want to go into further argument on this. Gadkari should not be given a second term as party chief”, said the Rajya Sabha MP.
Jethmalani asked Gadkari not to seek a second term inoffice in the wake of allegations of corruption against him.
“In the interest of the party, in his own interest, he should get out of the fray now and he must give the position to somebody who inspires greater confidence. He should not aspire for a second term,” he said.
Jethmalani said Gadkari's continuance weakens the party's position.
“Obviously, there is suspicion about his integrity and in the interest of the party and his own interest he must get out of this position.
“It weakens the party position. In the coming elections we are fighting against corruption and we have to have a man of absolute impeccable integrity,” he told a news channel when asked whether Gadkari should step down.
The eminent lawyer also said that he had no problem with businessmen entering politics but added that they should not make politics their business.
Jethmalani had recenly written to Gadkari demanding that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi be projected as the party's prime ministerial candidate in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
