By IANS,
New Delhi : BJP chief Nitin Gadkari was embroiled in another controversy Monday for comparing Swami Vivekananda’s IQ with that of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. BJP leader Mahesh Jethmalani used the remark as a trigger to quit the party’s national executive and demanded that Gadkari should not be given another term as party president.
Gadkari, who was speaking at an award function in Bhopal Sunday, later denied he had compared the renowned 19th century seer with Dawood Ibrahim.
The Congress slammed Gadkari’s remarks and demanded an apology from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking in Bhopal, Gadkari said: “If we could compare the IQ level of Swami Vivekananda and that of Dawood Ibrahim, then it could have been almost similar. But their direction in life is so different. While Vivekananda used it for nation building, brotherhood and spiritualism, Dawood used it for destructive purpose, to excel in the crime world,” Gadkari had said at the Ojaswini felicitation programme to honour leading women in various fields.
With his remarks stoking a major controversy, Gadkari issued a statement denying he made a comparison. “I did not make any comparison between Swami Vivekananda and Dawood Ibrahim. I said if one used one’s intelligence properly then one could become like Vivekananda, and vice versa. I am being misquoted,” he said.
The remarks, however, added to voices within the BJP against Gadkari seeking a second term as president.
Mahesh Jethmalani, a well-known lawyer, Monday wrote to Gadkari stating that he deemed it “morally and intellectually inappropriate” to serve in the party executive as long as he was the president.
Mahesh Jethmalani expressed dissatisfaction over Gadkari’s answers to the controversy relating to Purti group associated with him.
“As far as the reasons are concerned, first on the controversy around Purti, I have not got a clear answer. Secondly, because of today’s statement, comparing the IQ level of Vivekananda and Dawood. Though he has denied it, I am not satisfied,” Mahesh Jethmalani told reporters.
“It is my personal opinion that he (Gadkari) should not get a second term,” Mahesh Jethmalani said and added that a delay in decision was affecting the party.
Mahesh Jethmalani clarified he would continue to serve as a party member.
His attack on Gadkari came within days of his father Ram Jethmalani, MP, asking Gadkari not to seek another term.
Ram Jethmalani, also a lawyer, had said there was suspicion about Gadkari’s integrity and in the interest of the party he should not seek a second term.
The income tax department and the company affairs ministry have begun separate inquiries into firms controlled by Gadkari and its financial dealings with investor companies.
India Against Corruption had also alleged that Gadkari had acquired farmers’ land through dubious means for his trust. Gadkari had strongly denied the charges.
BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy defended Gadkari following Mahesh Jethmalani’s letter, saying it was not appropriate to go to public with such comments.
“Yes. I feel that it’s affecting the party’s and we are delaying it (a decision). I would like to say this party leadership, that this issue should be resolved as soon as possible.”
Congress leader and Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said Gadkari’s remarks were “yet another manifestation of their (the BJP’s) culture and mentality” and demanded an apology.
Party leader Digvijay Singh said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and BJP leaders should clarify on Gadkari’s remarks and the opposition party should now take out “Dawood yatra”.
“Gadkari could have done without this controversy,” a BJP leader told IANS.
He said Gadkari was likely to complete his present three-year term unless something damaging comes out in the probe into his business dealings but questions were there about his getting a second term.
Gadkari had assumed office as BJP president in Dec 2009.