Cong dismisses Gadkari's threat to IT officials

"There is no question of BJP coming to power. Leaders should not fight with officials....If Congress has prevented him from becoming the BJP President for a second term, it shows we are so powerful", Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury told reporters.

Her remarks came when asked to comment on Gadkari's remarks in Nagpur that the IT officials, who had carried out surveys on Purti Group companies, would not be saved after the "sinking" of the Congress boat when Sonia Gandhi and P Chidambaram would not be able to help as BJP will be in power.

On home turf in Nagpur for the first time since the on-field inquiries by taxmen on Tuesday put paid to his hope of getting a second straight term as BJP chief, Gadkari alleged "earlier CBI was doing at Congress's bidding and now the Income tax people are following suit".

IT sleuths carried out on-field inquiries at 11 premises in Mumbai belonging to alleged shell companies related to the Purti Group on January 22, a day ahead of the election for the post of BJP president.