New Delhi:
In the midst of increasing pressure on Nitin Gadkari over graft allegations, BJP leader and noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani has said that the former should resign as the party president immediately. Mr Jethmalani also said that he would not quit the party. His son, Mahesh Jethmalani, had resigned from the party's national executive yesterday citing corruption charges against Mr Gadkari.
Here are the highlights of what Ram Jethmalani said:- In the interests of the party, the nation and the interests of Mr Gadkari himself, he should resign
- While I was in England, I was approached by Mr Gurumurthy who asked me not to make further statements
- I thought he would meet me on my return from London
- Long ago I wrote to Mr Gadkari requesting a meeting on party matters...That meeting has not happened till date.
- On Vivekananda statement - I think it is a very silly statement to make
- If I resign from the party now, it will be a betrayal of the nation. The nation needs an opposition.
- On one side, we have Mr Gadkari who is comparing Vivekananda to Dawood and on the other side, a man who will be the future PM of India and doesn't know the difference between FDI and Kargil
- I owe a debt to the nation and I personally would like to continue in the party...There are some people who would want to quit the party to clear their conscience, I will not name them
- I have been in touch with Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha and we seem to be on the same wavelength, but I cannot predict how they will act tomorrow
- The letter that I wrote to LK Advani was written on behalf of myself and my three companions
- There has been correspondence with Gadkari, Advani, but they have not met me and discussed matters. I wish they had.
- My opinion is that the delay in this matter has hurt the party and there should be damage control now
- I do not believe RSS has given any rope long and short
- Some people make up their minds faster like me...I think on my legs, they think in their bedrooms
- I tried to discuss it internally but the discussion never took place
- I will be happy to be expelled from the party but someone has to pick up courage
- Narendra Modi I have said is fit to become PM, but don't think he has the time to be party chief
- I consider Mr Rahul Gandhi as illiterate. Have you ever heard one quotable quote from this man? What is his education?
- Nitish Kumar is a man of integrity...He has made a fairly successful CM in Bihar...If he sticks on with the NDA, he will have to be considered.
- But I prefer Modi to Nitish
- Today the common man will not approve anyone who is weakening the struggle against corruption