Lok Sabha Elections 2019| Hard work doesn’t pay in BJP: Party MP from Allahabad

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Gupta claimed the party leadership failed to recognise his loyalty even though he had a clean track record and had served the party and the public selflessly. Asked about rumours that he is considering to switch loyalties to the Congress, Gupta said it was too early to comment as he was still waiting for the BJP to finalise Lok Sabha tickets.

Published on: Mar 16, 2019, 11:42:35 IST

Hindustan Times, Prayagraj | By Kenneth John

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Amid rumours that he will be denied the BJP ticket for the Lok Sabha election, sitting Allahabad MP Shyama Charan Gupta on Friday said he had learnt that there was no value for hardwork in the party. Rather, lobbying yielded rich dividends, he alleged in an interview.

The BJP MP said children of several MPs were granted tickets but his son was denied the same for reasons better known to the party high command. (HT Photo)

Gupta claimed the party leadership failed to recognise his loyalty even though he had a clean track record and had served the party and the public selflessly.

Shabby treatment was all that he received from his party, he alleged. “I am still a BJP MP for the next over a month. Barring four to five, none of the party MPs in the state has worked as hard as I have in the past five years. I stood by the party where and when required, be it making arrangements for the party national executive meeting or canvassing for assembly polls. Leave alone reimbursement of hefty money spent, the party leadership even failed to acknowledge the same,” he said.

The BJP MP said children of several MPs were granted tickets but his son was denied the same for reasons better known to the party high command.

Asked about rumours that he is considering to switch loyalties to the Congress, Gupta said it was too early to comment as he was still waiting for the BJP to finalise Lok Sabha tickets.

“I would refrain from making any comment or commitment as of now,” he said

Referring to his son Vidup Agrahari’s recent announcement that he (Vidup) planned to contest as an independent candidate, the BJP MP said, “My son is upset with the shabby treatment extended by my party to me. In a way, he is correct. But I had stopped him from taking such a decision in haste. Now, a misunderstanding has occurred between me and my son which hopefully will be sorted as time passes. But I will repeat that in the BJP hard works does not pay, lobbying pays,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kenneth John
Kenneth John is a seasoned journalist with over three decades of reporting experience with different national dailies. As a correspondent with Hindustan Times, he is known for his impactful grassroots journalism, focusing on stories that amplify the voices of marginalised communities and bring issues of public concern into the spotlight. Over the years, he has reported extensively on education, women and child welfare, health, crime, infrastructure, environment, human rights, rural development, poverty, and public policy. His work has consistently highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable sections of society, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Recognised for his investigative and human-interest reporting, his notable stories include exposing severe child malnutrition in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where he documented instances of children eating mud to cope with extreme hunger. These reports drew attention to serious gaps in welfare delivery and prompted discussions on policy intervention and accountability. A keen observer of social and cultural transformations, he has covered three Mahakumbhs and two Kumbh Melas at Prayagraj’s Sangam, reporting on their religious, social, cultural, and administrative dimensions. Among his most widely discussed exclusives was the story on Uttar Pradesh’s first all-women gang, “D39,” in Kaushambi, revealing how poverty, child marriage, and domestic abuse pushed several women toward crime. His journalism continues to combine investigative rigour with deep human sensitivity.Read More