BJP TO FETE PHOOLKA FOR ROLE IN DELIVERING JUSTICE FOR ’84 RIOTS VICTIMS

NEW DELHI : The BJP will felicitate HS Phoolka, who recently quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in recognition of his efforts to get justice for victims of the 1984 anti-sikh riots at an event on Sunday organised by Vijay Goel, Union minister and senior party leader from Delhi.

Home minister Rajnath Singh will felicitate the former AAP leader, leading to speculation that the BJP could rope in Phoolka to strengthen its following among the Sikh community. Since he announced his exit from the AAP, Phoolka has met Goel a couple of times. A day after he resigned, Phoolka had met Goel at his residence on the latter’s birthday and termed him a “good friend”.

Phoolka, who cited personal reasons for quitting the party but said converting an anti-corruption movement into a political party was a mistake, has been vocal about his opposition to any alliance between the Congress and the AAP.

His resignation had fuelled speculation that the two parties were trying to forge an alliance to keep the BJP out of power at the Centre.

“We are felicitating him for his immense contribution in the long fight to get justice to the victims of the 1984 antisikh riots,” Goel said.

He said it was the BJP government at the Centre that expedited the probe and set up a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the cases.

A senior BJP member said on the condition of anonymity that Phoolka’s presence with BJP leaders was a hint that the former AAP leader might join the saffron party in future.