The two senior Ministers of Government of Chhattisgarh should resign, on moral grounds, as they have shown disrespect to late Atal Behari Vajpayee, who had infused values, dedication and morality while building the party from scratch, demanded Karuna Shukla, niece of Atal Behari Vajpayee and Congress leader while addressing the media at Rajiv Bhawan new headquarters of Chhattisgarh Congress on Saturday.
Such incidents was not only reported in different parts of Chhattisgarh but also in Madhya Pradesh where four women leaders in presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan can be seen in smiles while lighting the lamp before the Urn with ashes of Atalji. In Chhattisgarh, the senior Ministers (not named) were joking after seeing the mobile phone when ‘Gayatri Mantra’ was being chanted. What culture does exist in party now, she pointed out. “Degradation of values had forced me to resign five years ago,” she said.
Karuna alleged that Prime Minister and BJP national president are using the name of Atal Behari Vajpayee to garner votes while the state party leaders are showing disrespect to the ashes of founder of BJP. At Raigarh, the BJP leader had taken the Urn with Ashes on the head while Minister and other leaders nearby could be seen in jolly mood as if they have won some trophy.
Around 720 urns with ashes of Atal Behari Vajpayee has been sent across the country, which shows how the BJP was been trying to fan out sentiments after his demise. Atalji was a leader who had cut across the party lines to become a mass leader. Instead, BJP leaders never turned up for last five years when Atalji was taken ill, she said.
In an emotional outburst, while answering to a question of information being spread that she was not present during ceremonies after death of Atalji and playing fiddle with Congress, she said, “Should I display my image across the photographs and videos to point out that I was present.
He was my last uncle (Chacha) of that generation and maximum family members were present. I along with Shiv ‘Chacha’, close aide of Atalji were present before declaration of his demise but were asked to leave early to see necessary arrangements at his residence. I can bring out many things out regarding BJP leaders when mortal remains were kept for paying tributes by public and leaders. If I open my mouth then many stories would stumble upon regarding BJP leaders and their ‘love’ towards Atalji,”
She said, “I am speaking as a niece, a common man and as a Congress leader over how things are developing and BJP antics after demise of my paternal uncle. It really pains.”
On any wish of Atalji regarding his ashes, she said Nehruji and Shastriji had such a wish of immersion of their ashes but Atalji had not left any will. It is ok that his ashes are being immersed across the country but such political motivated ‘show’ is just for upcoming polls in four states, she alleged.