No wrong-doing in Purti Group's funding: Gurumurthy

Rahstriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue S Gurumurthy, who was asked by the Sangh to probe charges against Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday said he had found "no moral or legal wrongdoing" in Purti Group's funding and alleged that the media is giving the issue a political colour.

In a letter to the BJP president, Gurumurthy emphasised that he has given a clean chit to the beleagured BJP leader.

He said he stood by the views he had expressed at the BJP Core Committee meeting on November 6, after which the party had expressed its full faith in Gadkari.

"I reiterate that on my investigation I have found and written in my columns in the New Indian Express that there is no wrong doing by you morally and legally in the Purti matter," Gurumurthy said in his letter.

Gurumurthy, a chartered accountant and financial analyst, maintained that he had professionally examined the Purti papers and expressed his professional views.

"But I saw sections of media giving a political colour to my professional views," Gurumurthy said.

BJP also stood firm in support of Gadkari, saying he is a social entrepreneur who has worked for the welfare of farmers in Vidarbha, Maharashtra.

"A large number of farmers of Vidarbha are committing suicide. Today they are getting a good price for their sugarcane," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The party also mentioned the clean chit given by Gurumurthy and said the well-known CA had found there was no bungling in the investments made in Purti Group.

"Gurumurthy has said there is no wrongdoing in the investment pattern of Purti and the party accepts it," Prasad said.