Contrary to BJP stand, Sampla not averse to dynastic politics

Contrary to the stand of BJP top leadership over the issue of dynastic politics, Union Minister Vijay Sampla today said he was not averse to it.

He said when a person is capable and competent to hold some position, such issues does not come in between.

"Political dynasty does not come in between when a person is capable or competent to hold some position," he said while replying to a question about Punjab being ruled by veteran Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal and his family members.

Punjab CM's son Sukhbir Singh Badal is Deputy Chief Minister and Sukhbir's brother-in-law Bikram Singh is a state minister besides Badal's daughter-in-law Harsimrat Kaur is a Union minister.

Sampla's comment is contrary to the line BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had taken while attacking Congress over dynastic politics during run up to the Lok Sabha polls and Assembly elections in Haryana.

Modi in his election rallies across Haryana had strongly opposed dynasty politics, especially referring to Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo Om Parkash Chautala and his family and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

He had asked the people of Haryana to vote for change to bring the state out of dynasty politics. Modi's views were endorsed by BJP Chief Amit Shah in his election meetings.
Sampla also said "senior leaders within BJP in the past have given their approval to this (Badals at the helm of affairs in Punjab)."

The first time MP from Punjab, who was inducted in Modi Cabinet on Sunday last and given the charge of Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, during his maiden media interaction here after getting the ministerial berth said, "We should not waste our energy on this (issue of political dynasty), but for the betterment of Punjab."

On being asked whether BJP will seek the post of Deputy Chief Minister in Punjab after the party's performance in Haryana where it formed its government of its own for the first time, he evaded a reply.