Congress on Monday left it to the government to proceed against BJP chief Nitin Gadkari following a TV channel’s finding that a company which allegedly got benefits when he was a Maharashtra minister later gave him a loan of Rs. 165 crore.
“We are not soft on BJP. Their are allegations in public space. Authorities like SEBI, Income Tax department and the Finance Ministry are more than competent....sure they will take cognisance”, party spokesman Sandeep Dikshit told reporters.
Mr. Dikshit, who faced a volley of questions on the issue, rejected activist Arvind Kejriwal’s charge that there was collusion between his party and BJP, maintaining “personal allegations should not be dragged in public life”.
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“It is not a question of taking on Gadkari....There are competent organisations in the government to look into the issue”, he said.
Asked whether suo moto action can be taken by the government agencies against Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, facing allegations of questionable dealings with reality major DLF, he said “it can apply in anyone’s case”.
Mr. Dikshit also steered clear of questions whether Congress favoured Mr. Gadkari to resign on moral grounds as BJP chief in the wake of the findings. “It is for him to decide. Allegations are flying thick and fast...until and unless something comes out”.
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Mr. Gadkari has already denied any conflict of interest or quid pro quo in his business dealings.
Replying to another question, Mr. Dikshit said Congress’ charges against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi were “qualitatively different” as they arose out of the report of CAG which spoke of irregularities to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore by Gujarat government.