Sena backs Gadkari, says IAC allegations baseless

The Shiv Sena, one of the BJP’s oldest allies, on Friday defended Nitin Gadkari, who, according to Arvind Kejriwal-led India against Corruption (IAC), Gadkari, allegedly teamed up with the NCP and grabbed land for a project.

The Shiv Sena, one of the BJP’s oldest allies, on Friday defended Nitin Gadkari, who, according to Arvind Kejriwal-led India against Corruption (IAC), Gadkari, allegedly teamed up with the NCP and grabbed land for a project.

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Sena chief Bal Thackeray in his editorial in Saamna, the Sena’s mouthpiece, said Gadkari has taken barren land and that like the land, the accusations against him lack substance.

“If Gadkari has taken over infertile land and started a new project, why should it upset Kejriwal and Damania? Gadkari did not commit theft nor manipulate the stock market,” Thackeray said.

“The allegations against Robert Vadra had an impact, but that’s not the case with Gadkari,” the editorial said.

Praising Gadkari’s leadership skills, the Saamna piece said that ever since he became the BJP’s national president, he has been fighting and challenging the Congress. “His rivals could not digest Gadkari’s success and are behind this conspiracy,” the editorial said, advising Kejriwal and his colleagues that they would go the Anna Hazare way if they did not exercise restraint while levelling accusations. “People will declare them insane if they continue to make such unsubstantiated allegations.”

The editorial referred to the case of demolition man GR Khairnar, who launched a campaign against then

Chief Minister Sharad Pawar in 1995 and promised to reveal lots of evidence, but backed off later.