Buoyed by the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendations for a token punishment, the Operation Chakravyuh-stung BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste is itching to flex his political muscles. Along with four other MPs, Kulaste was suspended for the budget session of the Lok Sabha till March 22 for his ‘improper conduct’. He was one of the victims of the sting operation in the MPLAD scam.
Kulaste has convened a tribal convention under the aegis of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad on April 9. He is vice president of the council. The proposed annual meeting of the council on April 9 is being seen as an exercise to exert pressure on the party to ‘rehabilitate’ the marginalised Mandla MP. He was once tipped to become the State BJP president but the scam did him in.
However, Kulaste while talking to Hindustan Times on phone from Delhi said the convention is aimed at highlighting the tribals’ plight and atrocities on them.
Through this, the participants will seek to bring pressure on the State Government to check atrocities on tribals and give them employments, besides ensuring proper representation in all spheres of life in proportion to their population.
About his ignominy in the wake of the sting operation, the MP admitted that in politics there are detractors who look for opportunity to damage their rivals by conspiring against them. He was also a victim of such a conspiracy, he added.
Anusuiya Uike’s elevation in the party after her nomination to Rajya Sabha has set the alarm bell ringing in the Kulaste camp. Like Kulaste, she too is a tribal and hails from Mahakoshal region.
About his ignominy in the wake of the sting operation, the MP admitted that in politics there are detractors who look for opportunity to damage their rivals by conspiring against them. He was also a victim of such a conspiracy, he added.
Anusuiya Uike’s elevation in the party after her nomination to Rajya Sabha has set the alarm bell ringing in the Kulaste camp. Like Kulaste, she too is a tribal and hails from Mahakoshal region.
In the April 9 show, tribal leaders from Gujarat are also invited. The tone and tenor of the MP betrays his anguish over neglect in the party. Therefore, some fireworks are expected in the tribal congregation.
It is aimed at restoring Kulaste’s image in the party, said a party leader. Kulaste was here yesterday to discuss preparations for the convention with other leaders concerned. He also met State BJP organising general secretary Kaptan Singh Solanki and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in this
regard.
Parishad’s national president Somjibhai Damor would inaugurate the convention while the Chief Minister would be chief guest on the occasion. Former Union minister Arvind Netam would also attend the convention.