Gadkari should answer party if charges are proved: Parrikar

In the first reaction by a BJP leader that is different from others in the party, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that Nitin Gadkari should "answer the party" if allegations of financial wrongdoings in his company are proved.

"If allegations are proven to be true and there are some manipulations by some persons whether it is Gadkari or (Robert) Vadra or whether it is the Prime Minister, the person has to answer his party and his people who elect him," he told Headlines Today.

He, however, made it clear at this stage he was "not ready to accept anything (against Gadkari) just because it is alleged".

Ever since media reports emerged about the alleged dubious funding of Purti Sugar and Power Ltd run by Gadkari, there have been attacks from other parties who have demanded probe into the affairs of the company.

However, BJP leaders have not gone beyond the fact that Gadkari himself has offered to face any probe in the issue. A meeting of the senior leaders last week backed him and ruled out his resignation for now.