Setback for BJP in MP; former minister leaves party, more leaders likely to resign

BHOPAL: The resignation of a senior leader is a big blow to the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, where the assembly elections are imminent. Rustam Singh, also a former minister, has resigned from all party posts. Times of India reported that Rustam Singh left the party after the BJP denied him the seat in the Morena constituency, where he contested twice. Reacting to the news of his resignation, state president V D Sharma said Rustam Singh is a senior leader of the BJP and the party has given him many opportunities.

Meantime, Rustam Singh's son is contesting as a BSP candidate. There are also reports that the BJP did not give him a seat following that. He left the party after his son Rakesh Singh got a seat in BSP's Morena constituency. Here the BJP candidate is Raghuraj Khansana and Congress candidate Dinesh Gujjar.

Rustam Singh is a retired IPS officer. He has been a cabinet minister twice in the BJP government in the state. He was a strong contender of the BJP in Morena constituency. However, after his son won the BSP seat, the party lost faith in him. Rustam Singh has now joined BSP and declared his support for his son.

‘BJP accepted me with respect even after my service in the police force. I worked well, did development work and tried to make Morena a better constituency. This time also the people of Morena who participated in the survey wanted me to become MLA again but the BJP ignored me. I want to do something for the people. It needs a place and so my son joined BSP,’ said Rustam Singh.

Meantime, there are indications that more leaders will leave BJP in Madhya Pradesh. Leaders who do not get seats in the elections leave the party. Leaders are protesting in Madhya Pradesh over the seat. Not only in the BJP, there is a dispute in the congress also over seats.