Himachal BJP chief steps down

SHIMLA: Exactly a week after irregularities were reported in the purchase of medical equipment in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the arrest of then health director Dr AK Gupta, state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Rajeev Bindal resigned.

In his resignation letter to BJP national president JP Nadda, who had handpicked him for the post only in January, Bindal, 55, said: “I’m the president of the state party and we all want a free and fair probe into the alleged corruption without any pressure. In view of my high moral values,

I am resigning from the post.” The opposition has alleged that Bindal is involved in the case.

On May 20, the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau arrested Dr Gupta for demanding a bribe of ~5 lakh after an audiotape of his telephonic conversation with a Renuka-based medical equipment supplier surfaced. The bureau sealed bank accounts of Gupta and his relatives and recovered documents of purchases made by the health department from his house.

With the opposition Congress demanding a CBI probe, Bindal said, “The state government acted swiftly and arrested the officer. The probe was handed over to the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau. The BJP has nothing to do with this. The party is clean.” Central leaders were tight lipped about the developments. A senior leader said that after Bindal’s name was surfaced, a report was sought by the Prime Minister’s office as well as the party high command.

“We have heard that he (Bindal) submitted his resignation to the party president; a probe will be initiated. It is too early to say anything,” said a functionary who asked not to be named. A second functionary said a couple of names are doing the rounds as a possible replacement for Bindal.