No resolution on Nitin Gadkari or BJP at Chennai meet, says RSS

Chennai: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is meeting in Chennai on Friday, seems to have distanced itself from its protege and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari, who is facing charges of corruption. Trying to project Gadkari and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa as BJP's internal affairs, senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosable, said that the outfit is not going to discus issues related to the duo.

"No resolution is expected on Nitin Gadkari or on any other issue related to the BJP," clarified RSS National Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale. The RSS has so far refused to take a clear stand on Gadkari, who is its nominee for BJP's top post and is likely to continue as party president for the second term.

The Sangh reiterated that if there are any allegations against anyone, the due process of law should take place and those found guilty should be punished. Talking about allegations against BJP President Gadkari, Hosabale said, "We don't have soft corner for anybody and there are no different yardsticks on corruption."

Hosabale said that in the meeting they will discuss the policy of land acquisition and not any issue related to the BJP. When asked about their stand on the allegations made by activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal against Reliance, the RSS leader said it is for the Congress and the BJP to react as they have nothing to do with it. Regarding former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyruappa threat that he will soon leave the BJP party, Hosabale said "it is for the BJP to decide and not the RSS".

Even earlier, the RSS had distanced itself from the corruption allegations Gadkari saying, "RSS has nothing to do with any of the allegations. It is saddened by the efforts aimed at dragging Sangh's name in this." The statement had come against the backdrop of media reports that the Sangh was trying to defend Gadkari, who was seeking another term as the BJP president. "In the last few days, the media has been making allegations about certain irregularities in the corporate affairs of some political leaders. These allegations have caused a lot of consternation in the general public," the statement had said.

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