Files papers as Independent candidate from Barmer
Angry and emotional, veteran leader Jaswant Singh on Monday plunged into the poll fray as an Independent candidate from Barmer, and for the first time launched a direct attack against top BJP leadership including the party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and party chief Rajnath Singh.
He also included Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje among those who betrayed his trust and insulted him. Soon after filing his nomination, Singh addressed a jam-packed Press conference where he recalled his long association with the BJP and rued the neglect of devoted party men in order to accommodate turncoats. Singh was specific in his criticism of Modi and Rajnath Singh and lamented the growing personality cult within the BJP.
“The NaMo-NaMo tamasha, the decision-making process (in BJP) reminds me of 1975. There is more of arrogance and less of taking everyone along,” Singh told reporters. On the question of resigning from the BJP, the 76-year-old leader said it was for the party to decide whether he should continue in it or not. “They can sack me,” he said.
Singh said he was informed on phone by Rajnath Singh about denial of a BJP ticket to him, and termed it as a “huge humiliation” for workers in the constituency.Singh said Rajnath Singh has hit me for the second time, and the conspiracy was hatched by Vasundhara Raje.
“I say with regret and pain that these two persons have betrayed me, cheated me. They have not only betrayed Jaswant Singh, they have also betrayed the BJP’s principles and ideologies,” he said while addressing his supporters after filing the nomination papers.
Singh said in 2009, Rajnath Singh had similarly informed him on phone about his expulsion from the party. “I told him that not even peons are sacked in this way,” he said.
Singh said he returned to the party on the initiative of senior leaders like Nitin Gadkari and that he had informed lK Advani almost 18 months ago of the wish to contest his last election from his hometown Barmer.
Singh said he had conveyed the same wish to Rajnath Singh a few weeks ago.
“No announcement was made about Barmer in the first few meetings (of CEC). I called up Rajnath Singh. He informed me the next day that I won’t be given the ticket.... And who was given ticketIJ Not a BJP worker but somebody who joined BJP from Congress and had been abusing us till recently. I was very hurt,” he said.
Singh recalled his long association with the party’s founder leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and lK Advani and lamented its current state of affairs.
“I have taken a step for Barmer. Relief is what I am feeling right now. I am contesting on principles and for honour, not just for my honour, but for the honour of all citizens of Barmer,” he said.