This Article is From Mar 23, 2014

Not a piece of furniture to be 'adjusted', says Jaswant Singh who is upset with his party

Not a piece of furniture to be 'adjusted', says Jaswant Singh who is upset with his party
Jodhpur/New Delhi: Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who is upset over not being allowed to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from his home constituency, announced today that he will file nomination papers tomorrow to contest elections from Barmer in Rajasthan. Mr Singh, who has reportedly abandoned the idea of resigning from the BJP, also said that he is insulted at the suggestion that the party would "adjust" him.

Here are the latest developments:

  1. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Singh said, "At first, they said that they can't adjust my request. Then they said that they would adjust me. I am not a table, chair or a piece of furniture to be adjusted. The words are full of arrogance and disrespect and are very insulting."

  2. The 76-year-old leader wanted to contest what is likely to be his last election from Barmer, the constituency in Rajasthan where he was born. But the BJP ignored his request and instead decided to field Colonel (Retd) Sona Ram Choudhary, a former Congressman who recently joined the party. The BJP picked Col Choudhary for Barmer after much persuasion by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

  3. Mr Singh's party colleague Arun Jaitley had said yesterday, "It is unfortunate that we could not adjust him. The party will find some other option for him." His colleague and party president Rajnath Singh added that the party "will utilize his services and experience appropriately."

  4. Mr Singh has said how he will choose to contest will depend on the BJP. "Yes, I am filing my nomination papers tomorrow from Barmer. As an Independent or not, will depend on the party's attitude," he told PTI.

  5. He has reportedly abandoned the idea of resigning from the BJP, which puts the party in a spot.  If he does file to contest as an Independent candidate against the BJP's official nominee, the party could be forced to expel him, which is likely to win Mr Singh sympathy at the cost of the party. To give in to Mr Singh's pressure and withdraw Col Choudhary's candidacy will be a big embarrassment in high stakes election.

  6. Today Mr Jaitley wrote on his blog, without naming Mr Singh, "At times, the party may flood leaders with privileges and positions.  On other occasions, the leader may have to take "no" as an answer to his desires...He must accept the decision with a smile."

  7. Mr Singh's son Manvendra, who is a sitting MLA from Sheo in Rajasthan, has sought a month's leave from the party citing medical reasons.  

  8. Speaking out in Mr Singh's support, BJP's Sushma Swaraj has said she is "personally hurt by the decision, reason be whatsoever."

  9. Seeking to play down the controversy, BJP's Venkaiah Naidu today said there was no question of side-lining the senior leader. "He did not get a ticket and because of that anger he might have said something. I wish Jaswantji does not do anything like that. Party has always respected him," he added.

  10. Attacking the BJP over the controversy, Congress' Kapil Sibal said, "Narendra Modi has taken over the BJP. Senior leadership is now cornered in the party."



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