Gadkari bats for Yeddyurappa, says he's done nothing illegal

New Delhi: In an exclusive interview to NDTV, BJP president Nitin Gadkari has defended Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa against a series of corruption allegations.

Speaking to NDTV's Barkha Dutt on The Buck Stops Here, Mr Gadkari said Mr Yeddyurappa has done nothing illegal. He, however, added that Mr Yeddyurappa should not have used his discretionary quota for his family members. Asked about the critical observations made about the Karnataka government by state Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, he said, "No critical report had been submitted in writing by the Lokayukta."

Yeddyurappa had recently dared his arch-rival and Opposition leader HD Kumaraswamy to meet him in a temple. In an open letter published in local newspapers, Mr Yeddyurappa said that Mr Kumaraswamy should swear before God that his allegations of corruption against the Chief Minister are based in fact.

The location was decided - a temple in Dharmasthala built as tribute to Lord Manjunathaswamy. Mr Kumaraswamy promptly agreed to the In God We Trust Vote. The date was fixed for Monday, June 27. But BJP president Nitin Gadkari voted against the temple confrontation and asked Yeddyurappa to call off the test. "I advised Yeddyurappa that it was not appropriate to use religious places, especially temples, for politics," he had said.

Mr Kumaraswamy, who heads the Opposition JD(S), has devoted the last few months to circulating documents that suggest the Chief Minister used his office to help his children, their spouses, and companies they are linked with.

Here's an excerpt from the interview:

NDTV: Some of the decisions taken by the Karnataka CM were immoral, but not illegal. Isn't immoral bad enough?

Gadkari: What are the corruption charges against Mr Yeddyurappa in Karnataka?

NDTV: Even the Lokayukta of Karnataka Mr Santosh Hegde has accused Mr Yeddyurappa of misusing his discretionary powers in land allotments and issued a notice because he believed there was a prima facie case...

Gadkari: First of all, denotification of land is a law passed by Karnataka Assembly. It is a full power of the Chief Minister to denotify the land. It is the law which is passed by the Assembly. This is the right and privilege of the Chief Minister.

NDTV: For giving it to his family members...

Gadkari: I will tell you one thing...this power was used three times more by Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy, Krishna and Dharam Singh. It is not only Yeddyurappa who's doing it...and as far as using this law (is concerned) he is hundred per cent legal.

NDTV: Why did you call it immoral?

Gadkari:  As far as using it for family members is concerned....this will not be appreciated. That's why I made my comments.