Yeddyurappa hasn't done anything illegal: Gadkari

Commenting on Bhardwaj's decision to sanction prosecution against Yeddyurappa, Gadkari, who is in China on a five-day visit, told the Indian media here that denotification of land is the privilege of the Chief Minister, which was exercised by many of Yeddyurappa's predecessors.

"Denotification of land is privilege and right of Chief Minister given by law. Nothing is wrong with it. Before Yeddyurappa, (former Chief Ministers H D) Kumarasamy, Dharma Singh and S M Krishna exercised it several times. Governor has not taken action against them because they belonged to Congress Party," he said.

"Only thing is that BJP and I personally feel that denotifying land for his (Chief Minister's) son, though it is a legal decision, on the ground of morality, I think it is not good. It is not proper and immoral I think...," he said.

If it is illegal why the government has not taken action against the previous Chief Ministers? he asked.

Gadkari alleged the Governor's decision was politically motivated and that he was working under the directives of Congress.

The BJP demands his recall as he has already crossed the limits, he said.

It is total discrimination, Gadkari said, claiming that many number of cases filed against Yeddyurappa are politically motivated.

Gadkari also defended his party's decision to hoist the national flag in Srinagar on the Republic Day.

"If the people who want to oppose India, oppose national flag, they have no right to reside in India," he said, adding that instead of opposing the BJP's move, the government should take initiative and give protection from "anti-nationals."

Accusing the Congress of creating the Kashmir issue, he said that because of the "total failure of the policy we are facing the problem."

Several Muslim supporters of BJP in Jammu and Kashmir are joining its march, he said.

Asked about the perception that China raced ahead with the development pursuing policy of political and economic discipline while Indian democracy increasingly turned chaotic due to increasing differences among political parties, Gadkari said "we want democracy and development."

"Development is not at the cost of democracy. With the democracy we have to accelerate the development," he said.

The BJP leader, who held talks with the Chinese leaders on a wide range of issues, today visited a solar power panel factory. He is also scheduled to visit several development projects before leaving for home on January 25.

"They are misusing the institution of Governor and creating problems for democracy in the country. It is unfortunate that the institution of Governor is diluted in such a way that people have lost faith," he said.