BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha today opposed his party’s decision to suspend fellow parliamentarian Kirti Azad saying it was not giving a “good message” to people because the “perception” was that he was fighting against corruption and urged the party to revoke it.
In an oblique message to the top party brass, Sinha, who has been critical of their decisions over a host of issues, said if they decided to punish him for mistakes he had not made, then it will remind him of a soothsayer’s prediction that he would change his party once.
“I hope, wish and pray it does not come true,” he said with a laugh.
In an interview to PTI, he called Azad “a worthy son of a worthy father” and also supported the veterans, including L K Advani, who have questioned the leadership following the Bihar debacle.
“I found it very unfortunate that Azad, a worthy son of a worthy father, was suspended in this way. What has the general perception gone out? That he was talking about corruption. This is the perception.
“I feel sad that he was suspended and I appeal to those who matter in the party to revoke his suspension. It is certainly not giving good message, good image to the people,” he said. Azad’s father late Bhagwat Jha Azad was Bihar Chief Minister.
The cine star-turned-politician added that he respects the decision taken by the party’s parliamentary board but asserted that feeling “sad or happy is not an anti-party activity”.
A reference to the soothsayer’s prediction about his changing his party has been made in his biography, “Anything but khamosh”, published by Om Books International.
It is being released tomorrow by Advani, whom he called his friend, philosopher, guide, guru and ultimate leader.
Sinha said it was “unfortunate” that he could not meet party chief Amit Shah during Bihar assembly elections despite trying so many times.
“I felt sad for what was happening in Bihar. I was not being called, invited… He being the party president I just hoped and wished he would give me protection. He would call me and talk. It did not happen…