TNI Bureau: In a big twist to the drama within the BJP over the post of President, Nitin Gadkari was forced to withdraw from the race and a consensus has emerged on Rajnath Singh, who is all set to become the next BJP President. Gadkari has resigned from his post.
Opposition from Mahesh Jethmalani, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha and the I-T raids on the shell companies associated with Gadkari’s Purti Group forced the BJP leaders to go into a huddle and choose an alternative.
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The RSS, which has thrown its full weight behind Nitin Gadkari, has made a U-turn and allowed the BJP to choose its leader. Names of Venkiah Naidu and Sushma Swaraj were also discussed. But Rajnath Singh got the final nod.
After the latest development, Nitin Gadkari resigned, paving the way for Rajnath Singh. Rajnath will file his nominations tomorrow. He had held the post earlier too before Gadkari had taken over. It will be Rajnath Singh’s second term in the office.
After resigning from his post, Gadkari said he decided not to seek a second term in the interest of the BJP. I did not wish the malicious campaigns against me to adversely impact the party. I have done nothing wrong. I will come out clean, he said.