Rebellion complete, Tiwari quits BJP
ATTACK Targets Vasundhara Raje over ‘undeclared emergency’ in Rajasthan, claims 15 BJP legislators are in touch with him JAIPUR: Though imposing Emergency is now not possible, it is worth mentioning that the country is going through a phase of undeclared Emergency for the last four years
Rajasthan MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari, who had been at loggerheads with the Vasundhara Raje dispensation over several issues, on Monday resigned from the BJP, accusing the chief minister of corruption and nepotism.
In his resignation letter to BJP president Amit Shah, Tiwari did not name Raje, but said, “The chief of Rajasthan government in collusion with some ministers and bureaucrats has been robbing the state and the level of corruption has scaled a new high.”
He accused the CM of appointing her cronies in important posts and introducing laws in an arbitrary manner with the sole intention of benefitting herself and her coterie.
Tiwari also accused Shah of inaction and having surrendered to corruption.
He said he was tendering resignation on the day Emergency was declared more than four decades ago (June 25, 1975).
At a press conference later, he said, “Undeclared emergency is more dangerous than actual emergency. I have witnessed both the phases and I am tendering my resignation from the party (BJP) to fight against it.”
Tiwari said it was good that the BJP was observing June 25 as ‘Black Day’. “Though imposing Emergency is now not possible, it is worth mentioning that the country is going through a phase of undeclared Emergency for the last four years,” he said, adding he will now fight against the “undeclared emergency” in the country and Rajasthan.
Accusing the Congress and BJP of being hand-in-gloves in corruption, the five-time MLA said he will now work to “ensure that no one tries to strangulate democratic institutions for power.”
Acting state BJP president Ashok Parnami said that there will be no impact of Tiwari’s resignation on the BJP. “It sends a good message to the cadres that there is no place in the party for leaders who are undisciplined,” he said.
The in charge of BJP party affairs in Rajasthan, Avinash Rai Khanna said that no leader has prospered after quitting BJP. “The party is like a tree and no leaf or fruit can grow after getting separated from the tree,” he said.
Opposition Congress, however, said Tiwari’s resignation has exposed the ruling party. “Tiwari has exposed the BJP. If a person who has been associated with RSS since his youth has expressed these views then it shows what the plight of the nation is. This government is on its way out,” senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said.
Tiwari remained at loggerheads with the state government over issues, including farmers’ plight, demand of reservation for the upper caste and corruption. In May 2017, BJP served a showcause notice to Tiwari for his alleged anti-party activities and indiscipline. However, no action was taken after Tiwari submitted his reply criticising Raje and the BJP leadership.
The notices were sent to him after he alleged that the Rajasthan BJP had become a place for mafias and sycophants, while loyal and qualified people were being sidelined.
Tiwari, who represents Sanganer (Jaipur) in the state assembly, will contest elections from the same constituency from the Bharat Vahini Party, a political outfit formed by his son Akhilesh. The party got recognition from the Election Commission last week and Akhilesh said they will contest on all 200 seats in the polls slated to be held later this year.
He claimed that the people of were feeling deceived by the BJP whom they had voted to power in Rajasthan in 2013 and for the 25 Lok Sabha seats, the party had
It (Tiwari’s resignation) sends out a good message to the cadres that there is no place in the party for leaders who are undisciplined
ASHOK PARNAMI, Former state BJP chief
won in the state in the 2014 general elections.
Tiwari claimed that 15 BJP MLAs were in touch with him, but no decision has been taken on granting them tickets . He said all the “good people” from BJP and Congress were welcome to join his party.
Amid speculations on Independent MLA Hanuman Beniwal joining hands with his party and forming a third front in state, Tiwari evaded a direct reply. He said Beniwal was like a family member and like him he has also been fighting to save democracy in Rajasthan.
Tiwari has exposed the BJP. If a person who has been associated with RSS since his youth has expressed these views then it shows what the plight of the nation is.
ASHOK GEHLOT, former chief minister