Bhagwat meets Gadkari
In a break from tradition, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calls on Union minster Nitin Gadkari at his Nagpur residence, backs Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje
NAGPUR: In a departure from tradition, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat visited Union minister of shipping and transport Nitin Gadkari at his Mahal residence in Nagpur and held talks with him. Usually, BJP leaders – irrespective of their rank and position – approach RSS chief at the RSS headquarters for discussion.
Bhagwat reached Gadkariwada at Mahal, a few metres away from the RSS headquarters, on Saturday evening and held an hour-long closed door meeting with the minister.
The Bhagwat-Gadkari meeting assumes a lot of significance in the wake of opposition, particularly the Congress’s aggressive approach seeking the resignation of two key BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on the issue of “corruption” over which it also disrupted the Parliament proceedings.
If sources are to be believed, the RSS chief suggested Gadkari that there was no need for Sushma and Raje to resign as they had not direct corruption link and hence the government should remain firm in supporting the two leaders and dismissing all calls for their resignation.
Besides, both Bhagwat and Gadkari also spoke about the current political scenario in the country. Bhagwat wanted Gadkari to be given greater responsibility at Centre in view of his outstand- ing performance in the ministry and a free hand to perform.
Last week, senior BJP leader Dr Subramanium Swamy had commented that Gadkari was not being allowed to work properly. At a function, held in Chandrapur, Swamy had said, “Gadkari is a very efficient and good minister. But he is not getting a free hand.”
Though the Parivar remained tied-lipped about the meeting, other issues, along with the two senior women leaders, Vyapam scam, terrorist attack in Punjab and undesirable statements of party leaders that embarrass the government were also discussed.
Gadkari’s family sources, however, maintained that Bhagwat came to their house to bless Gadkari’s new-born granddaughter. He stayed at Gadkari residence for over one and a half hours.
No RSS leader or activist at the headquarters was available for comments.