BJP has distanced itself from senior party leader Shanta Kumar’s comments that the party has been hit hard by recent controversies like Vyapam scam. Mr. Kumar has demanded setting up of an ethics committee in the party on the pattern of Lokpal to root out corruption. Talking to media, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Shanta Kumar is a mature leader but his comments are influenced by the Congress’ misinformation campaign and party rejects it.
In a letter to the BJP President Amit Shah early this month, Mr. Kumar had said the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh has made party leaders bow their heads in shame. The letter came in public at a time when government is already facing opposition attack on the issue of Lalit Modi controversy and Vyapam scam. However, talking to media outside Parliament, Shanta Kumar said he did not want letter to be leaked to media, but he stands by his view. Meanwhile, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said Shanta Kumar is right that the controversies have maligned the image of the BJP and even now ruling party leadership should listen to its leader’s voice.