'Not satisfied with Gadkari's answer on financial irregularities by Purti Group': Congress

The Congress party on Tuesday said that it was not satisfied with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's answer in the parliament over the CAG report alleging financial irregularities by his Purti Group.

"Our party was not satisfied with Gadkari's answer regarding Purti Group issue, so we walked out of the parliament. We have clarified in the parliament that if they (BJP) will bring the black money bill, we will pass it too," said senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Earlier in the day, Gadkari had asserted in the Rajya Sabha that he had done no wrong and was ready to quit as minister as well as MP if charges of corruption against him are found correct.

The Rajya Sabha was on Monday adjourned five times after the Congress demanded Gadkari's resignation over the CAG report.

Gadkari, however, said that the report has not named him as a wrongdoer and added that there was no charge of corruption against him.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari had submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha targeting Gadkari over the same.

Earlier in 2012, following an RTI disclosure, a number of irregularities were discovered regarding investments in the Purti group, which Gadkari had founded.

It was widely reported that this may have been why he failed to be re-elected as BJP president in January 2013.

In May 2013, the Income Tax department assessed the firm as having evaded Rs. 70 million via improper means.

On May 13, 2014, the IT Department of Maharashtra cleared Gadkari's name and gave him a clean chit, saying there was no enquiry or investigation presently pending.