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Sinha, who had threatened to resign in August last year feeling that the party was not raising the issue of corruption as aggressively as desired, defended the induction of Kushwaha, former UP Minister who is being investigated by CBI in NRHM scam.
He refused to accept that the induction, which has now been put on hold in view of criticism including within, had tarnished BJP's image and claimed that his party was still different from others "in terms of quality and scale".
The former Union Minister said, "Every party in Parliamentary democracy has to do this (compromise). It has not been done for the first time and also certainly not for the last time."
Contending that "Nobody or party can claim to be 100 per cent pure", he said, "But, BJP is 70 per cent pure while others are only 20 per cent (pure). So, still BJP is a party with a difference."
He was reacting when asked how BJP could claim to be a "party with a difference" even after induction of Kushwaha, which came on top of the party forming government in Jharkhand with the support of JMM against whose leader Shibu Soren who is facing corruption charges.
"No political party runs as a theological or charitable organisation. As per age-old dictum that politics is an art of possible, every party has to combine ideology and practical wisdom," he said.
Sinha, an in-house critic who has raised voice against leadership on various occasions including the M A Jinnah episode surrounding L K Advani, was asked why he did not speak up against Kushwaha's induction.
"I have raised voice within the party on many issues I did not agree. But you cannot make my some stand in the past as a touchstone for everything in future too," he said. "I agree with the party on the stand on the two issues," he said, referring to Kushwaha's induction as well as taking help of JMM for forming government in his home state Jharkhand.
When referred to the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttar radesh and four other states, Sinha admitted that the absence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from the scene affects the party.
"Vajpayeeji is no doubt the tallest leader of BJP. And when he is not active in politics it does affect BJP. But, this is the manner in which the history works," he said.
Sinha refused to agree with media survey which has put BJP at fourth position after SP, BSP and Congress in UP poll. "It cannot be taken on face value. BJP will perform well in all the state assemblies elections including in UP".
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BJP can claim to be a party with a difference in spite of Kushawaha episode.Party leaders raised their voice against High Command to protest against induction of Kushawaha which forced to put his membership on hold.On the other hand no one in Congress can dare to raise any voice against Sonia and everyone would join the band of singers to praise Sonia/Rahul,even for a cause not worthy to be appreciated.Nehru-Gandhi family is owner of Congress and all others are slaves.In BJP,Gadkari does not enjoy ownership.Moreover no family has for permanently seized the Party.This is the difference between BJP and Congress.
It is absolutely stupid logic coming from such a senior leader. You are deemed corrupt whether u are taking a bribe of Rs. 10 or a crore. If it is a party with a difference, it has to have a zero tolerance towards induction of corrupt/criminal or indicted politicians. Probably the eagerness to taste the fruits of power are driving BJP leaders to such short sighted approach. This puts paid to the wonderful work being carried out by leaders like Mr Modi, Lt.Gen Khanduri etc. I am sure good sense will prevail & will change the course of new recruits & prove that the destiny of the country is in safe hands than criminals and corrupt jokers.
so should stop criticising a majboor PM whose party may be is only 30% pure
In sharp contrast, if the congress had to declare the same way, imagine would be their percentage??? "Zero" would be congress percentage! Because everybody in that party top to bottom is corrupt!