Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order an inquiry in the funding of companies belonging to BJP president Nitin Gadkari. "A prima facie case does exist," Digvijaya Singh said in a letter to the prime minister which asked the ministry of corporate affairs to initiate a probe into the allegations by Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).

"Gadkari has said he is open to a free and fair investigation. Being the president of BJP, it is in the fitness of things that his case is properly investigated and he gets a fair opportunity to prove his innocence and clear his name," Digvijaya Singh said.

The letter came shortly after Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily said his ministry may inquire into the alleged violations by Gadkari's company. Media reports said there were irregularities in the funding of Gadkari's company Purti Power and Sugar Ltd.