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

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.

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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.

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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.