Indian Express:Mumbai:Friday, September 28, 2012.
BJP national president Nitin Gadkari on Thursday issued a
legal notice to RTI activist and IAC volunteer Anjali Damania over her “baseless
and defamatory” claims that he tried to cover up the irrigation scam in
Maharashtra.
Gadkari’s legal notice to Damania faults her for “giving
false statements to television channels”, “insinuating” his “business relations
with Sharad Pawar”, and having “tried to dissuade” her from exposing the
irrigation scam. The legal notice sent through Shamshery & Associates, dated
September 27, stated: “...entire statements, you have stated are deliberate lie
with an intention to slander my client and are designed to defame the
reputation of my client, who, being national president of BJP, occupies a
respected position in the political affairs of the nation as well as in
society”.
Gadkari has denied having business relations with Pawar.
The legal notice said that the BJP’s state unit was the
“first to unearth the irrigation scam” and demanded her to “tender a public
apology” failing which he will initiate legal proceedings against Damania.
Damania made these claims on Wednesday on the eve of the
party’s two-day national council meet, which is slated to discuss a resolution
to amend the party’s constitution and pave the way for a second consecutive
term for the BJP president.
Damania confirmed that she has received a legal notice by
email and that she was likely to contest it.