India Against Corruption (IAC) member Anjali Damania, who has exposed irregularities in irrigation projects with the help of the Right to Information Act, almost decided to give up her fight after a meeting with BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who allegedly refused to support the fight against scams in dam projects.
An IAC statement said on Thursday: “When the strength of the perpetrators was used in full… to subvert the exposure [of corruption in dams], we were heartened [by the fact] that help came from an unexpected quarter, the Opposition party [the BJP].” BJP leaders Devendra Phadnavis and Kirit Somaiya had demanded a probe into irrigation scams and the assets of Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Sunil Tatkare of the Nationalist Congress Party, allegedly disproportionate to the known sources of his income.
Ms. Damania heard rumours that there were attempts to stymie the demand for a probe and she met Mr. Gadkari at his residence in Worli, Mumbai, on August 14. She was shocked by his alleged response that he had business dealings with NCP leaders. At 4.43 p.m. that day, she sent a long text message to his mobile. The IAC provided its screen shots.
In her message, Ms. Damania said her father was in the RSS and she felt that she could do much as her principles were those of the RSS. She met Mr. Gadkari because of his RSS connections and believed that he would have some values. She said: “This morning when I met you, my faith was simply rocked. How can my Opposition party president have such close links with the ruling party and why? For the sake of business? Are you supposed to do business or be our politician and work for the betterment of my country? Where is ‘DESH’ [the country], ‘DESHSEVA’ [service to the nation]? Up in thin air? Compromise and seat-sharing with NCP? With those who are fleecing the poor, terrorising the farmers… Why? For power? Or for money? Our RSS prayer used to teach us to bow down to our motherland, to the cause. We prayed to almighty to bless us with purity of character, spiritual bliss and lead this nation to [the] highest pinnacle of glory, have you forgotten the prayer or you chose to forget?”
Keywords: India Against Corruption, whistleblower, Anjali Damania, Right to Information Act, BJP, Nitin Gadkari, NCP leaders, Maharashtra political crisis, NCP-Congress rift
K.Vijayakumar- Not true. Certainly there are some pseudo-secular and
"progressive" media outlets which think that opposing the "Saffron
Party" is necessary and sufficient for being progressive. But in
general the media has of late taken the INC to task for its
participation in looting India. But this doesn't mean that the BJP
should be spared the cudgels just because it opposes the INC.
Let me ask you this - given the Congress' dismal recent past, should
it have remained a question that it will fall in the next general
elections? But that outcome is by no means assured. What does that
tell you about the BJP? Far from a knockout, the BJP wouldn't even
have singed the INC had it not been for a vigilant younger generation
of Indians.
Progressive and capable voices like Jaswant Singh are snuffed out by
the BJP, and instead strongmen like Rajnath Singh and nincompoops like
Gadkari rule the roost. What does that tell you about the BJP?
There are so many activists in India today. How is it that one of them, Anjali
Damania, is getting so much coverage in the media. In a short period of 2 days she
has become an anti-corruption crusader par excellence. Of course, every person in
touch with the media knows that BJP baiting endears one to our media.
BJP should remove Gadhkari if they have any values left. I am close supporter of BJP and this is not acceptable.
No words.. Me and my family are supporters of BJP and now I am totally disappointed by reading this column.This shows that how our politicians are and what their business is.We cant just blame NCP/Congress for their irregularities/corruption in this irrigation scam.This might as-well continue if the opposition comes into power.We the spectators watch,criticise and forgets.Enough of this.This should change.
But the Question is When and by Whom??
No one take up politics to save the country. Every politician and every political party is first of all interested in saving itself and themselves. It is for us citizen to pay taxes on time and manage as best as we can.
At this rate we will need as many whistle blowers as the country's population. Every citizen of this country needs to introspect and cleanse his conscience taking a pledge to not give or accept bribes and also not allow others to do the same by bringing to the notice of the protectors of law any such acts. The protectors of law by themselves cannot be expected to check the menace of corruption in our country. It needs our patriotic fervour to get rid of this cancerous malaise eating up the vitals of this predominantly god fearing country. The Anjalis of our society shine like beacon lights in their relentless pursuit of those abetting in crimes against society and bringing them to book.
nitin gadkari is businessman involved in many shoddy deeds, own crore of business and have business interest with ruling parties is shameful interest of conflict,he should resign if he has association with ruling elite,
From what I see, ALL politicians are crooks.
I hope the blind public wake up and do not give away their vote for a biriyani.
GOD save India.
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