Sir — This refers to the report, “I will quit politics if misconduct by my family proved: Rajnath” (August 28). After former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh is perhaps the first leader in the saffron brigade who has shown no sign of ill-temper in his behaviour on any occasion. He maintained his cool and civility even during political debates on television channels.
As far as the rumour about his family’s misconduct, allegedly stemming from the denial of a party ticket to his son Pankaj Singh, is concerned, the argument does not hold water.
During the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Mr Singh had prevailed upon his son to return the ticket for Chiraigaon Assembly constituency in Varanasi, in order to avoid being targeted for nepotism by the opposition. Incidentally, Mr Rajnath Singh was the president of the BJP at that time.
Hence, the allegations of misconduct by any family members of the Home Minister falls on stony ground. They merely give credence to the public perception that there is a game of political brinkmanship being played within the party.