BJP takes ‘cognizance’ of Shatrughan Sinha’s presence in Mamata-led Opp. rally

Days after senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had told disgruntled party MP Shatrughan Sinha to ‘leave’ the saffron party if he was not happy, the saffron outfit on Saturday said the leadership will take cognizance of Mr Sinha attending the Mamata Banerjee-led rally in Kolkata.

“They make it a point to be present at the whip so that they don’t lose their membership. At the same time, they are so opportunistic that they want to climb the stage and be present at a conclave. BJP will take cognizance of it,” BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters here.

The reference was to Mr Sinha attending the Lok Sabha proceedings during the recently concluded winter session of Parliament.

Mr Sinha had attended the Lok Sabha session when it approved the Constitution Amendment Bill that ensured reservation for economically weaker sections of people from general category.

Meanwhile, addressing the rally at Kolkata, the cinestar-turned-politician said, he did not mind being expelled from the party.

“If to speak truth is being rebellion, I am a rebel…..I am answerable to the people of India,” he said in presence of the likes of Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie.

He also said, “I have only tried to show mirror to the party (BJP)”.

In his response to the Mamata Banerjee-organised rally, BJP spokesman Mr Rudy termed the opposition rally in Kolkata as ‘political opportunism’.

“Some people are intelligent in a different way. Some people want to carry stamp of BJP for the facilities that come as a MP,” said Mr Rudy, also an elected MP from Saran parliamentary constituency in Bihar.

Mr Shatrughan Sinha, who was Health Minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, represents Patna Sahib parliamentary constituency in Bihar.(UNI)