Jethmalani Jr gears up to block Gadkari’s poll as party chief
22 Jan 2013 5:56 AM IST
When everything seemed sorted out for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari to seek an extension for another tenure as the president of the party, BJP leader Mahesh Jethmalani has come a roadblock in Gadkari’s path to the coveted post. Jethmalani on Monday hinted that he may contest against Gadkari for presidential elections.
‘I just said there should be a contest if Gadkari is contesting, if I have to engage in a token fight, I may decide,’ said Jethmalani. The Mumbai-based lawyer had resigned from BJP national executive in November last year to put pressure on Gadkari to step down from his post in the wake of allegations of financial impropriety, was not very straightforward about his intention to contest.
‘I don’t know from where these rumours are originating, I am not among the claimants to BJP chief’s post,’ said Jethmalanim, who added that he would make known his decision later in the day.
Asked whether he had spoken to any senior BJP leaders about contesting for the party’s top job, the Oxford-educated lawyer said, ‘Who will I talk to? I am a small person, only an ordinary worker.’
However, Jethmalani’s desire to contest the elections was confirmed by the BJP. ‘A person on behalf of Mahesh Jethmalani has contacted me for contesting elections, have asked him to contact me with all details required,’ said BJP leader Thawar Chand Gehlot, who is in charge of the election process.
Gehlot added that any person who is a BJP member can contest elections for presidential post.
The father-son lawyer duo Ram Jethmalani and Mahesh Jethmalani have been at the forefront of the anti-Gadkari campaign over the past few weeks. Earlier this month, senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani had even met Gadakri at LK Advani’s residence to work out a truce formula.
‘I just said there should be a contest if Gadkari is contesting, if I have to engage in a token fight, I may decide,’ said Jethmalani. The Mumbai-based lawyer had resigned from BJP national executive in November last year to put pressure on Gadkari to step down from his post in the wake of allegations of financial impropriety, was not very straightforward about his intention to contest.
‘I don’t know from where these rumours are originating, I am not among the claimants to BJP chief’s post,’ said Jethmalanim, who added that he would make known his decision later in the day.
Asked whether he had spoken to any senior BJP leaders about contesting for the party’s top job, the Oxford-educated lawyer said, ‘Who will I talk to? I am a small person, only an ordinary worker.’
However, Jethmalani’s desire to contest the elections was confirmed by the BJP. ‘A person on behalf of Mahesh Jethmalani has contacted me for contesting elections, have asked him to contact me with all details required,’ said BJP leader Thawar Chand Gehlot, who is in charge of the election process.
Gehlot added that any person who is a BJP member can contest elections for presidential post.
The father-son lawyer duo Ram Jethmalani and Mahesh Jethmalani have been at the forefront of the anti-Gadkari campaign over the past few weeks. Earlier this month, senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani had even met Gadakri at LK Advani’s residence to work out a truce formula.
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