BJP veterans to raise DDCA issue

BJP MP Kirti Azad’s suspension seems to have opened some old wounds, with four party veterans led by L K Advani deciding to raise the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) corruption issue at a party forum.

Sidelined veterans Advani, former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Shanta Kumar and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha met at former HRD minister Murli Manohar Joshi’s residence here.

In the meeting, the old guard, which had taken on the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah after the BJP suffered a humiliating defeat in the Bihar Assembly polls, felt that the battle between Azad and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was denting the party’s image. 

Sources also said that in the meeting, a view gained ground that the message emerging from Azad’s suspension was that a whistleblower was being gagged. Emerging from the meeting, Kumar said, “We keep meeting over tea and nothing specific was discussed,” but interestingly added, “it’s unfortunate that politics has come down to allegations and counter-allegations.”

Azad requested the prime minister and the ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ comprising Modi, Advani, Joshi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, to look into the disciplinary action initiated against him, wondering whether he has been taken to task for exposing corruption in the construction of Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium. Azad is slated to meet Joshi to decide the future course of action.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, too, backed Azad and has decided to help him file a response to the suspension order.

“Kirti’s issues are 1-is cricket affair within the purview of party discipline and 2-due to SC case on BCCI, is party decision amenable in court,” Swamy tweeted.

In a veiled warning that in-house dissenters, including Shatrughan Sinha, may face Azad’s fate, Jaitley hinted on his blog, “Stray thoughts after winter session,” that disciplinary action was initiated against the former cricketer for his refusal to mend ways despite warning.

“A few months ago, some BJP members made statements which were not appreciated by the party. The party president cautioned them and advised them to refrain from making such statements. The result of the caution is visible,” Jaitley posted.

Azad, who has decided to meet the prime minister, charged that crucial DDCA files are disappearing as the CBI was alerting the association by giving notices. Azad also said that he will file a PIL demanding a court-monitored probe. The Darbhanga MP was suspended on Wednesday for indulging in anti-party activities by accusing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of being involved in the DDCA case.