After facing embarrassment over the induction of former Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Jitendra Singh Bablu, who was accused of torching Bahujan Samaj Party MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s house in Lucknow in 2009, the state unit of the BJP has decided to set up a screening committee for new entrants.
“The BJP is now contemplating to form a committee that will run a background check on outsiders willing to join the party. This team will also look into the criminal record of those who want to come to the party, along with their credibility. After checking credentials, the screening committee will decide if the person is suitable to be inducted,” a senior BJP leader told ‘The Pioneer’ in Lucknow on Thursday.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, a well placed BJP source said that the five-member committee would keep an eye on the membership drive. Although the names of the members of the screening committee have not been decided yet, it is believed that some spokespersons along with office-bearers of the organisation can be included in the panel.
“The state BJP does not want to take any risk regarding its image before the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Therefore, now a final decision on membership will be taken by the screening committee,” the source said
Jitendra Singh Bablu, a former MLA from Bikapur (Faizabad) had joined the BJP on August 4 despite several party leaders raising the red flag. Apart from this, BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi expressed her displeasure over his induction and apprised the party brass of Bablu’s complicity in burning down her house when she was UP Congress president in 2009. Due to all-round pressure, Bablu’s membership of the party was revoked within just six days.