This Article is From May 12, 2015

'Ready to Quit as Minister And MP if Corruption Proved,' Says Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during his statement in Rajya Sabha today.

New Delhi: Nitin Gadkari, who has been facing opposition attacks over alleged irregularities by a company linked to him, declared today that he was "ready to quit a minister as well as MP if charges of corruption against me are found correct."

Mr Gadkari was targeted in both houses of Parliament by the opposition, which demanded a discussion and stalled business with slogans and protests.

"The report will come up in Parliament and there will be a discussion. Mr Gadkari has clarified. The Congress doesn't want the House to run because they don't like some bills," said Finance Minister Arun Jailtey in the Rajya Sabha, responding to a demand by the Congress to adjourn proceedings for a discussion.

Loud protests forced the house to adjourn.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned a record nine times on Monday as Mr Gadkari's statement failed to silence opposition protests.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)'s report has alleged irregularities in a loan given by a government-run company to the Purti Group, in which Mr Gadkari owned stakes.

Mr Gadkari yesterday said that the loan was returned and the report had not named him as a wrongdoer.

The government has ruled out his resignation and believes the protests against the minister are a strategy to stall key bills, including the flagship Goods and Services Tax Bill.

 
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