BJP's I B Singh questions Home Ministry's decision to give 'Y' security to Jugal Kishore

LUCKNOW: As news of the Union Home Ministry giving ‘Y’ security to Jugal Kishore trickled in, it set off much speculation and discontent among a section of oldtimers in the state BJP. Though the controversial social media post on “Y category” status to rebel BSP MP Jugal Kishore was withdrawn by BJP spokesperson IB Singh, shortly after being uploaded, it has set off a debate among BJP workers over extra attention and importance being accorded to newcomers in the party at the cost of oldtimers.

Kishore, a Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader of the BSP, was a close aide of BSP chief Mayawati. He was later thrown out of the BSP by Mayawati, whom Kishore accused of corruption and deviating from the principles of BSP founder Kanshi Ram. Shortly afterwards Kishore’s family members joined the BJP, which along with its ideological parent RSS, is assiduously wooing the Dalit community.

However, the news of Kishore being accorded Y category status led to BJP spokesperson IB Singh questioning the decision of the Union Home Ministry. In a social media post, Singh said that while BJP state president Laxmikant Bajpai, who was working hard to expose the misgovernance of the Samajwadi Party government and the BSP, was not accorded any security by the Centre, a newcomer was being given special treatment by the Home Ministry.

“The post was my personal opinion and I have now withdrawn it,” said Singh later.

However, the post led to many BJP workers expressing their anguish over newcomers into the BJP being given importance at the cost of dedicated workers associated with the party for a long time.

“The issue is over. The post has been withdrawn. What Singh wrote was merely his concern about my security and was not questioning the government’s decision. He has now withdrawn his statement and there is no controversy,” said state BJP Chief Laxmikant Bajpai.