Gadkari backs Jaitley line on CVC

Obliquely backing the line taken by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley that the party attack PM Manmohan Singh over PJ Thomas' appointment to the post of CVC rather than move on, BJP president Nitin Gadkari said the issue remained alive. HT reports.

Obliquely backing the line taken by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley that the party attack PM Manmohan Singh over PJ Thomas' appointment to the post of CVC rather than move on, BJP president Nitin Gadkari said the issue remained alive.

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This is being seen as a conscious distancing from Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj's position that the matter was over after the PM accepted responsibility. Gadkari, however, brushed aside reports of differences between Swaraj and Jaitley.

"The CVC matter has not ended for the BJP. The PM's reply has not satisfied us. Our nation-wide programme against corruption will also present the role of the PM and we will take this issue to the people," Gadkari said. Asked if this stand sets aside earlier positions taken by the party, Gadkari said, "I am speaking as the party president. There is no contradiction between the statement of (Arun) Jaitley and Sushma..."

The two opposition leaders were perceived to have sung different tunes over several days, with Swaraj being content with the PM accepting responsibility and Jaitley seeking to know whether he was aware of the case against Thomas, and wanting accountability to be fixed.

Gadkari's line is being seen as vindication of Jaitley's position.

Gadkari, however, defended leader LK Advani over his letter expressing regrets to Sonia Gandhi over black money, saying it was only for any hurt she had felt and would not in any way compromise the fight against black money.

Gadkari, who had attended a meeting of BJP national office bearers, state presidents and prabharis earlier in the day, announced the party would launch a nationwide agitation against corruption, black money and misgovernance after the Budget session, hold anti-corruption marathons, and go to villages.