<p>Sen, a physician, has been named a member of the Planning Commission's committee on health.<br /><br />Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Ajit Jogi has justified the appointment of Sen, saying he has along experience in working in the tribal areas.<br /><br />"There is nothing wrong if the country wants to benefit from the services of Sen, who is a world renowned medical expert," he said.</p>.<p>Chhattisgarh Congress Committee member Nandkumar Patel said the issue should not be politicised and questioned the rationale behind the BJP's opposition to the activist.<br /><br />A court here convicted the 61-year-old public health specialist for sedition in December last year for his links with Maoists. After spending several months behind bars, the pediatrician-activist was released after the Supreme Court granted him bail last month.<br /><br />The BJP has taken strong objection to Sen's nomination to the panel. Chief Minister Raman Singh has expressed his displeasure over the appointment.<br /><br />In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who heads the commission, the BJP leader has highlighted Sen's conviction on a serious charge like sedition. As a protest, Raman has been boycotting Plan Panel meetings.<br /><br />State BJP President Ram Sevak Paikra has said the party fully supports the Chief Minister on the issue and they will continue to oppose Sen's appointment at every level. </p>
<p>Sen, a physician, has been named a member of the Planning Commission's committee on health.<br /><br />Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Ajit Jogi has justified the appointment of Sen, saying he has along experience in working in the tribal areas.<br /><br />"There is nothing wrong if the country wants to benefit from the services of Sen, who is a world renowned medical expert," he said.</p>.<p>Chhattisgarh Congress Committee member Nandkumar Patel said the issue should not be politicised and questioned the rationale behind the BJP's opposition to the activist.<br /><br />A court here convicted the 61-year-old public health specialist for sedition in December last year for his links with Maoists. After spending several months behind bars, the pediatrician-activist was released after the Supreme Court granted him bail last month.<br /><br />The BJP has taken strong objection to Sen's nomination to the panel. Chief Minister Raman Singh has expressed his displeasure over the appointment.<br /><br />In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who heads the commission, the BJP leader has highlighted Sen's conviction on a serious charge like sedition. As a protest, Raman has been boycotting Plan Panel meetings.<br /><br />State BJP President Ram Sevak Paikra has said the party fully supports the Chief Minister on the issue and they will continue to oppose Sen's appointment at every level. </p>