'I'm clean', probe Robert Vadra for 'taint', says Nitin Gadkari

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday defended all the charges levelled against him by RTI crusader and India Against Corruption (IAC) activist Arvind Kejriwal, as well as fought back accusations of the Congress party, saying there have been repeated attempts to malign his reputation.

Addressing his supporters here, Gadkari said that he has no connections with Ajay Sancheti or Sharad Pawar.

"I have no business links with Ajay Sancheti or Sharad Pawar. Kejriwal's allegation that I grabbed farmers' land is false. Farmers' land that I am accused of usurping is on the dais with me. I worked for the welfare of Vidharba farmers. I am a social entrepreneur," said Gadkari.

"Media tried to defame me over accidental deaths. The Congress is colluding with media houses to defame me. The cops, crime branch or CID have found nothing against me or BJP. They tried to drag my name even in Adarsh scam. Efforts are on to defame me ever since I became BJP President. My conduct has been upright, I have never indulged in any kind of wrongdoing," he added.

Asserting that he was ready to face any inquiry, Gadkari also hit out at the ruling Congress Party and asked them to initiate a probe against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.

"I am ready for probe against all allegations; let Robert Vadra also face a probe. Why is Robert Vadra not ready for an inquiry like me? Why the Congress is not investigating Robert Vadra? I will fight a legal battle and come out clean," he said.

Gadkari, who displayed a massive show of strength here, earlier received a rousing welcome on his arrival at the Mumbai Airport.

Gadkari had earlier on Tuesday skipped meeting with Karnataka party leaders as former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa remained firm on quitting the party ahead of next year's assembly polls.

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