Gadkari meets Raje, says BJP leadership supports her

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday claimed the BJP leadership has come out in complete support of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her son Dushyant Singh in all controversies related to IPL ex-chief Lalit Modi. 

Gadkari, in Jaipur on Monday, met Raje at her residence. “The Rajasthan chief minister is legally, logically and ethically correct. The entire party stands united behind her. All the allegations are baseless and have political objectives,” said Gadkari after a marathon meeting with Raje at her residence.
Defending Raje, Gadkari said she had done nothing wrong, and the allegations against her have no substance.  

“There should be some standards in politics. Targeting and framing anyone unnecessarily is not correct. Such issues should not be politicised,” he said. Gadkari's meeting with Raje has triggered a fresh round of rumours in the BJP. 

A faction of BJP leaders are of the view that the meeting clearly suggests Raje has been given some instructions by the leadership so the issue can be suppressed fast. 

These leaders are also of the view that the party would not take any harsh decision at this juncture, but Raje's problems are not over yet.

“The party cannot take any action at this point in time.  Any action means the party has accepted the allegations (against Raje) and its leaders were wrong. It may become a permanent issue and impact the Bihar elections,” said a senior BJP legislator on condition of anonymity.  However, it doesn’t mean the party has ignored the controversy. Decisions may be taken in the long run, he added.  

Meanwhile, leaders in the Raje camp are of the view that she has once again managed to silence detractors.  

One such leader said: “Raje has shown her opponents that the party leadership supports her. Gadkari's statement will end all speculation and rumours about her.
 The message has been conveyed that she is going to stay in Rajasthan. There is nothing left in this controversy.”