A Nameless Indian Speaks : Manish Tewari’s Apology to Nitin Gadkari

It is a common trend noticed in politics to put allegations and then to surrender with apology. An unconditional apology has gone from union minister Manish Tewari to BJP's Nitin Gadkari, though under legal compulsion.

Tewari has apologised after Nitin Gadkari filed case against him for defamation for alleging that he has a benami or proxy flat in the controversial Adarsh housing society in Mumbai.

“I understand that, by such statements you have to suffer huge disrepute and have to face an uncomfortable situation within your party and society. Therefore…I tender my unconditional apology for the allegations made against you (sic),” Mr Tewari said in a letter to Gadkari, who has now dropped the case.

Citing the media reports on the findings of a judicial commission, the letter acknowledged that Gadkari “had not played any role or had no concern with the scam.” Gadkari had moved to court in 2010, when he was president of the BJP, accusing Manish Tewari of making false and baseless statements against him.

The Congress leader had alleged that Gadkari owned a flat in Adarsh and it was registered in the name of his driver and businessman Ajay Sancheti. The Adarsh Housing Society is a 31-story building in Colaba in South Mumbai whose apartments were intended for war veterans and widows, but were allegedly grabbed by politicians, defence officers and bureaucrats.

The state's ruling Congress has denied any role in the scandal, though the judicial inquiry named former Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan.                   

— Monica Sangwan