One may call it the party’s preemptive strategy ahead of elections, but the suspension of former HRD Minister Baidyanath Ram from the BJP has come as a clear signal for partymen to maintain a clean image in public.
Ram is said to have alleged that he has been framed by those who don’t like to see a Dalit hold a ministerial berth. Nonetheless, the State BJP unit has made it’s point.
“Ram may level any allegation against senior leaders before the media and rue the victimisation of a Dalit, but everyone knows the party works under some basic principles and no one can be spared that,” said a senior BJP leader, requesting anonymity.
“There were allegations against former Minister Satyanand Jha Batul too, but strict action was not taken … there was a coalition Government that time and taking action against the Minister would have disturbed balance of powers. So there is nothing like backward or forward culture in BJP,” he added.
“We are not like other parties, who just form committees and forget about the issue,” said Pradeep Sinha, State BJP Spokesperson referring to Congress. “The party has already formed a committee and it’s expected to take proper action against anyone who is found guilty,” Sinha added.
On April 28, the State BJP had suspended Ram and office bearer of the party’s SC Cell, Seema Roy. Roy had claimed that she had been living with Ram as his wife for several years and that he had abandoned her at a hospital in Delhi. She also alleged his relations with another woman.
The BJP formed a committee headed by BJP leader Om Singh and comprising of Usha Pandey and Kedar Hazra, to report to the State party president.
Interestingly, Hazra told The Pioneer over the phone that he was not in the know of what had transpired between Ram and Roy. “Both are responsible leaders of the party. I do not precisely know what has happened. I am going to Ranchi tomorrow and we will talk to both parties. It’s not possible for me to say anything. I would rather criticise the media for over playing the issue,” Hazra said.
Meanwhile, the State BJP unit has recently found a popular face in the backward caste category. Former DGP VD Ram’s induction has brought very positive vibes. Party insiders believe that Ram may be a huge figure in the coming days, as he is likely to fight elections from a reserved constituency.