Veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Babulal Gaur created a flutter in the political circles here on Monday, when he held the Congress flag during a programme organised on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day in Bhopal.
local Congress MlA Arif Aqueel, who has been organising 'Paigam-e-Mohabbat' programme on Independence Day for several years, on Monday had invited religious heads, freedom-fighters and prominent party leaders for the event.
As he was also invited, Gaur reached there and participated in the event in his capacity as a freedom-fighter. Congress MlA and former leader of Opposition Ajay Singh was also present.
A rally was taken out from Bhopal Talkies which was flagged off by those present there. At this point, to everyone's surprise, Gaur took in his hands the Congress flag, causing murmurs in political circles.
"Gaur Sahab is no doubt angry with the BJP, but he is a very senior leader of the party and deeply rooted with it. Somebody handed him a Congress flag which he had held in his hands in true spirit of the programme. Nothing more should be read into it," Aqueel said.
However, he added, "If he (Gaur) leaves the BJP and joins the Congress, the party would welcome him with open heart."
When contacted, Gaur said that he had been attending this programme every year in the capacity as freedom-fighter. Aqueel used to honour those who fought for the country, including MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) detainees, among others.
On Tuesday, Gaur wrote a letter to Aqeel saying that he took the flag considering that it was a national flag and not Congress'. He alleged that he became victim of political conspiracy and appealed that the Congress should not have played conspiracy in this programme based on patriotic theme.
"During the flagging-off ceremony somebody handed me a flag and the moment I noticed it was not of my party I gave it back. Nothing more should be read into it," he said and asserted that he will not leave the BJP.