Nitin Gadkari's two statements reflect BJP conundrum over second term

Mumbai: BJP President Nitin Gadkari today asserted that the scaling up of an income tax investigation into a business empire he helped found will not keep him from getting an unprecedented second term tomorrow.

A statement sent on his behalf described the inquiry "Coming as it does on the eve of his re-election as BJP President for a second term, the IT department's action smacks of the ruling UPA's nefarious designs to create confusion in the BJP ranks." Within minutes, an updated statement dropped the reference to his re-election. (Read: original statement | revised statement)

The BJP described the reference to Mr Gadkari's re-election as "a typing error" but the two versions spell out the dilemma within the party and its ideological mentor, the RSS, about whether Mr Gadkari should get a second term while clouded by allegations of graft.

He shared the stage this evening at a function in Maharashtra with LK Advani, the BJP's most senior leader, who tried unsuccessfully to persuade the RSS that a new term for Mr Gadkari would seriously dent the party's credibility in the run-up to next year's general elections.  The RSS pledged its support to Mr Gadkari a few days ago, but is reported to be reviewing its decision.

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At the function they attended together in Maharashtra , Mr Advani dodged questions on Mr Gadkari's tenure. But sources say he is backing another senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, whose representative collected nomination papers this evening, suggesting that Mr Sinha, who has served as Finance Minister, is keen to run for president.

Candidates who wish to run for BJP president must file their nominations by tomorrow.  Traditionally, the BJP's president has been elected unopposed.

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Mr Gadkari had been summoned by tax officials earlier this week but has sought an extension till February 1, claiming that he is busy with his party.

Income tax officials today visited eight locations in Mumbai linked to firms that invested in the Purti Group, which was founded by Mr Gadkari in 2000. He resigned as its chairman in 2011.  In October, a series of reports that Purti was propped up by a matrix of ghost investors prompted an investigation by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.