Nitin Gadkari demands Chidambaram's resignation

Reminding the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi of their promise to fight the corruption, BJP chief Nitin Gadkari today demanded sacking of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in the wake of 2G spectrum scam and recent allegations about favouring a former client.

"Whatever allegations are there against Chidambaram...one thing is clear that Chidambaram is as much responsible as (former telecom minister) A Raja. Besides, the latest allegations (over withdrawal of FIRs against a Delhi-based hotelier) is also a serious matter," Gadkari said here.

"Chidambaram's place is neither in the Parliament nor in the Home Ministry...but in the Tihar (jail) and next to Raja. He  should immediately resign. I appeal to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi with regard to their promise to the country on fighting the corruption...the people will believe them only if Congress initiates action and removes him from the ministry," Gadkari said, talking to the reporters here.

The BJP president was in the city to extend support to the three-day hunger strike launched by the party's national secretary Muralidhar Rao, to protest against the UPA government for neglecting the handloom industry and the weavers.

Reacting to a question on BJP's stand on whether Sachin Tendulkar should get `Bharat Ratna', Gadkari said, "Sachin Tendulkar has indeed brought laurels to the country. The government should positively think about (bestowing the honour on him)."