Kushwaha row: BJP has not inducted any corrupt or criminal, claims Gadkari

Lucknow, Jan 17 (ANI): Amid the ongoing dissent within the party and the mounting criticism launched by the leaders of various political outfits over the induction of sacked Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Babu Singh Kushwaha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that his outfit has not inducted any corrupt or criminal and neither will support any such person.

"We have not inducted any corrupt or criminal in our party and neither will support any such person. As far as induction of Kushwaha is concerned, he himself has dismissed his membership and the matter has ended. There is no such person in our list who has a case of 302 (murder) or rape filed against him," said Gadkari, while playing down the controversy over the BJP's decision to induct Kushwaha in its fold.

Kushwaha, a prominent backward caste leader from Uttar Pradesh, was inducted in BJP with an eye on the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.owever, it kicked up a storm of protests with many in the party voicing unhappiness over his alleged involvement in the National Rural Health Mission fund scam in the state. everal senior leaders of BJP including LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj had also opposed his induction in the party.ushwaha was earlier expelled by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati following allegations of corruption in the government's National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Gadkari further mockingly said the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are hand in glove and come to each other's rescue in times of crisis.

"Congress party, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are hand in glove. When UPA Government was in crisis, then Mayawati came out in support of the government and Mulayam Singh also supported the government from outside. When the Public Accounts Committee slammed the government and Congress party faced the crisis, then Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party supported the Congress," said Gadkari.

"I would also like to tell you that this is the same Congress Party that forced to change the affidavit twice, which was filed by CBI against Mulayam Singh and Mayawati. So, Mulayam Singh and Mayawati follow the policy of friendship in Delhi and fight in Lucknow," he added.

Polls in Uttar Pradesh are to be conducted in seven phases between February 8 and March 3. The counting of votes would take place on March 6.ttar Pradesh will elect a new 403-member state assembly in March, and the poll results are expected to broadly indicate trends for 2014 general elections. (ANI)

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