BJP divided over Baath resignation
The Delhi BJP has been on the backfoot on the issue of whether to accept the resignation of Kulwant Singh Baath or not. Mr Baath, the vice-president of Delhi BJP, had resigned from the post on Thursday night after controversy erupted in the party over his absence from an event organised by the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, an affiliate of the RSS, in the national capital to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh’s 350th birth anniversary. While a section of local leadership has been mounting pressure on party leadership to accept Mr Baath’s resignation, many within the party feel that such a decision may hurt the sentiments of a large chunk of Sikh voters in the national capital.
A senior BJP leader told this newspaper that by accepting Mr Baath’s resignation, party leadership must set a precedent that there is no place for anyone who defies the party line.
“It is high time that leadership draw a line and ensure that no one crosses it. Mr Baath was expected at the event, but he did not turn up citing his religious compulsion. Instead, he tendered his resignation. Now the party must accept it to set an example. As BJP members, we all follow ‘nation first, party second, and self last’ principle,” he added.
A section of Delhi BJP leaders is also demanding that state leadership reveal the name of those leaders who are patronising Mr Baath. Another section, however, is saying that party leadership must play safe on this issue and not hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community in the city.
“Before accepting his resignation, the party must consider its implication like the drifting away of the Sikh votes from BJP. Mr Baath did not attend the event after Akal Takht called the Sikhs to boycott it. So, before taking any decision, the party leadership must consider all possible complications arising after the acceptance of the resignation,” said another senior BJP leader.
Mr Baath, on Thursday evening, resigned from the party after questions were raised over his absence from the event, which was addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.