Shimla:
BJP president Nitin Gadkari cancelled his plans to campaign in Himachal Pradesh today. But he was very much on the state's agenda, thanks to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
At a rally, she said, without naming Mr Gadkari, "No party has checked corruption as much as the Congress. I want to ask the BJP, has it taken any action against its leaders who are accused of graft?"
Himachal Pradesh votes this Sunday. On Saturday, Mr Gadkari appeared here at a rally for the BJP, which hopes to return to power in the state, but did not reference the charges against him.
Instead of a second round of campaigning today, Mr Gadkari said he will remain in his home town of Nagpur to finalize his legal strategy against sections of the media who he blames for a "vilification campaign." He also told supporters yesterday that he will seek exoneration in "the people's court" seen as a sign that he may contest the general elections in 2014.
Earlier this month, NDTV reported exclusively on a complex labyrinth of companies that invested in the business empire co-founded by Mr Gadkari in 2000. The government is now verifying the source of funds for those firms, many of who appear to be ghost investors.
The BJP met late last week with Mr Gadkari; its leaders said he did not offer to resign as president. His term expires in December. Instead, Mr Gadkari reportedly explained his stand to seniors like LK Advani, a move allegedly suggested by the BJP's ideological mentor, the RSS.
In 2009, it was the RSS which hand-picked Mr Gadkari to lead the BJP. Despite the reservations of Mr Advani and others. In the last few days, a series of statements from RSS leaders, including one which has asked for "an impartial probe" have made it clear that Mr Gadkari does not have the organisation's unconditional support.
Just last month, the BJP amended its rules, again nudged by the RSS, to give Mr Gadkari a second term in office. That extension now appears tenuous.