Giriraj Singh's remarks violate BJP's discipline: DV Sadananda Gowda

BENGALURU: The shadow of Union minister Giriraj Singh's racist remarks against Congress president Sonia Gandhi hung darkly over the BJP national office-bearers meet here on Thursday, even as leader after leader denied that the issue had been discussed.

The standard line was that party president Amit Shah had chided Singh for his statements and that was the end of the matter. Party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain even said: "He has expressed regret over his statements. There is nothing further for the party to do."

Union law minister DV Sadananda Gowda, however, let the cat out of the bag by stating that Singh's comments definitely violated the party's discipline. "Like every man on the street, I also feel that such derogatory comments should not be made," he contended.

Gowda said issues of indiscipline would be discussed in the national executive meet, but declined to commit himself specifically that Singh's comment on Sonia Gandhi would be taken up. Party sources, however, pointed out that the comment had damaged the public perception of the party and was similar to other "harmful" comments made by Sadhvi Niranjan Jyothi and Yogi Adityanath earlier.

"Modiji and Shah warned both of them, though neither was subjected to party disciplinary action," a party leader told ET.

Swamy to Skip Executive Meet

Maverick BJP national executive member Subramaniam Swamy will not be attending the two-day meet in Bengaluru from Friday.The state unit has been informed that Swamy is currently in London and will not make it for the meet.

Amit Shah Eyes Bengaluru Win

BJP national president Amit Shah, unhappy with the loss of Delhi, may turn his eyes and strategies to win Bengaluru back for the party. BJP is the ruling party in the BBMP that is to go for polls within May 30, as per a recent High Court order.

Raitha Sangha to Protest Land Bill

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha will hold a protest near the venue of the meet to protest against the Land Acquisition Bill."We are the original sons of the soil and we want Modi to know our pain at his pro-corporate actions," KRRS leader and MLA, KS Puttanaiah, told ET.