BJP distances from its HR cell convenor's letter

In a letter to Mukherjee, BJP president Nitin Gadkari said the party dissasociates itself from the complaint and conveys its regrets to the President.

"This is completely unauthorised and does not represent the view of the party. We disown it completely and convey our regrets for the agony it has caused to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India whom we hold a high regard," Gadkari said in his letter.

He said he was "distressed" to know that a representation has been made to the President, with copies to the Vice President and the Prime Minister, making certain "uncalled for and unwarranted" allegations against the CJI.

The representation made by Sudhir Aggarwal, national convener of BJP's Human Rights Cell, has said the CJI should have recused himself from the hearing of the petition filed by P A Sangma challenging the election of Pranab Mukherjee as President, due to his close proximity to the counsels arguing the case.