The BJP, which has been receiving flak over the induction of ex-BSP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, is all set to take another beating when it welcomes some more “tainted” politicians next week. The party is already in talks with some other influential but “tainted” leaders.
The BJP, according to sources, is determined to give ticket for the assembly polls to jailed mafia don and BSP MP Dhananjay Singh’s wife Jagriti and/or his brother. Dhananjay Singh has dumped BJP — rather, its allies- on two occasions but his mentor, Rajnath Singh, obviously does not think it is politically incorrect.
Dhananjay had been elected to the Vidhan Sabha in 2002 on a Lok Janshakti Party ticket but he promptly switched loyalties to the Mulayam Singh government in 2003.
In 2007, he was re-elected on a JD(U) ticket but when Ms Mayawati formed the government, he happily merged the party into the BSP.
Presently lodged in Jaunpur jail on a double murder charge, Dhananjay Singh is all set to shake hands with the BJP and the latter is reciprocating heartily.
Another “tainted” politician who has already acquired a saffron hue is Avadesh Varma, former BSP minister.
Varma has been charged with corruption including misappropriation of funds and land grabbing but the BJP has nominated him as its candidate from Dadraul in Shahjahanpur.
Daddan Misra, another tainted minister in the Mayawati government, also figures in the BJP list from Bhinga assembly segment.
Misra was an accused in the mass rape of Muslim women in Shravasti in 2008 but his name was later deleted under pressure.
The incident led to pandemonium in the state assembly and Daddan was in the eye of storm.