Jaswant Singh accuses BJP President Rajnath Singh of 'insulting' him

NEW DELHI: Accusing BJP President Rajnath Singh of 'insulting' him, senior party leader Jaswant Singh on Monday said that he repents joining BJP. "I'm saddened that these two people (Rajnath Singh and Vasundhra Raje) betrayed me. Not me but principles of BJP," Jaswant Singh said.

Addressing a gathering in Barmer, Jaswant Singh said, "BJP has changed from what it was. The values don't exist, all because of few individuals." "This isn't just a betrayal for me but a dictatorship that disregards seniors as well as workers of the party," Jaswant Singh accused.

"Even a peon isn't treated the way I was by the BJP," Jaswant Singh said soon after filing his nomination as independent candidate from Barmer. The 76-year-old leader, who was accompanied by some of his supporters, filed the nomination papers in four sets in the collector's office.

The former Union Minister decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections as an independent after the BJP fielded former Congress MLA Sonaram Chowdhry, who last week joined BJP from the Barmer seat.

Soon after filing his nomination, Singh said, "I have taken a step for Barmer. Relief is what I am feeling right now."

"I am contesting on principles and for honour, not just for my honour, but for the honour of all citizens of Barmer," he said.

Training his guns on Rajnath Singh who said the leader's services will be utilised appropriately, Jaswant Singh had retorted, "I am not a piece of furniture. The choice of the adjective 'adjust' itself is indicative of the mentality. You cannot adjust with principles and it is insulting".

Slamming the BJP President's remarks that the party will compensate him after the elections, Singh had said, "I reject the thought and I reject the mentality behind it. Assumption is that they shall form the government and offer me some throttle. They can keep it for themselves".