Baath quits as BJP vice-prez
A day after the boycott of an event organised in the national capital by the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat — an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) —to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh’s 350th birth anniversary, Delhi BJP vice-president Kulwant Singh Baath, on Thursday, resigned from the party membership.
Several leaders in the state unit, however, questioned the delay in accepting Mr Bhaat’s resignation. Mr Baath did not attend the function, saying religion was more important to him than the party. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was the chief guest at the function.
Alleging that few senior office-bearers were pressurising state leadership to not accept the resignation, a senior office-bearer asked why Delhi BJP leadership was not acting tough against Mr Baath for defying the party.
This newspaper, on Thursday, reported that Mr Bhaat did not attend the event at Talkatora Stadium. On Friday, Mr Baath said that to avoid any controversy, he offered his resignation to state unit chief Manoj Tiwari.
“I am an elected member of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), of which Akal Takht is the supreme body, and I cannot go against its direction. Therefore, I did not attend the programme. Religion is supreme for me,” added Mr Baath.
Mr Tiwari told this newspaper he received Mr Baath’s resignation letter and that a decision will be taken on Monday.
Sources in the party claimed that since his appointment to the post of vice president in January, Mr Baath has patronage of few leaders holding key posts.
A senior office bearer claimed that Mr Baath is closer to Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) than to the BJP.
“His work and action clearly shows that Mr Baath’s affiliation is more towards the Akalis than the BJP,” he said.