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BJP dissociates itself with minister
The BJP dissociated itself with reported statement of a minister opposing ticket to a 'Christian fundamentalist'.
The BJP today dissociated itself with the reported statement of a senior party minister in Arunachal Pradesh opposing party ticket to a 'Christian fundamentalist' for one of the two Lok Sabha seats in the state.
V Satish, in-charge of BJP in North Eastern states, and Taba Hare, the party's state unit president, today in a press conference said that Chief Minister Gegong Apang and Hare himself would talk to Lijum Ronya, Minister of Power (Electrical) and government spokesperson after he returned from Along, about 300 km away from here. Steps would be taken thereafter, he added.
It is alleged that the minister had written a letter to BJP vice-president Pyarilal Khandelwal on March 7 that the party was going to give ticket to a 'Christian fundamentalist with money power' for the Arunachal West constituency which he opposed.
However, after the party selected candidates for the two seats of the state late last month, ticket to that seat was given to Khiren Rijiju, a greenhorn, and not to the alleged fundamentalist.
Describing the allegation made by the minister as 'baseless', Satish said, "Our party does not believe in discrimination against anybody with respect to cast, creed and religion."
"We will look into the matter and appropriate steps will be taken thereafter," Satish said.
Hare, who was also present at the press conference, said "If it is found to be true it is unfortunate and it should be taken as a view of an individual and not of the party. The party will take a decision against him after due consideration."
