BJP hits back, says Manvendra Singh's decision to join Congress 'betrayal'

JAIPUR: Hours after BJP MLA from Sheo Manvendra Singh joined Congress in Delhi, Rajasthan BJP struck back by stating that the legislator was suspended from the party in 2014 on grounds of indiscipline. Son of former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh, Manvendra was charged of campaigning for his father who had contested independently and against the BJP candidate, during the Lok Sabha polls in 2014.
Terming his move 'betrayal,' BJP leader Rao Rajendra Singh in a presser, said that people who supported him and voted for him, will teach this 'indisciplined' man a lesson. "Manvendra disrespected the hard work of party workers who worked day and night to establish his identity," said Singh.

"It is the party workers who create leaders (Jaswant and Manvendra). It is to be made clear to everyone that BJP is a party which is bigger than every individual or any leader," said Rajendra Singh, who refused to believe that his (Manvendra's) exit will bring any effect on or drift in Rajput votes for the party in the assembly polls. "BJP doesn't believe in caste-based politics," said Rajendra Singh.

He asked Manvendra to not forget that Jaswant Singh was elected Rajya Sabha MP five times and was honoured with Lok Sabha ticket four times. "Jaswant Singh was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1980, 1986, 1998, 1999 and 2004, while he was also honoured with a Lok Sabha ticket in 1990, 1991, 1996 and 2009," Rajendra Singh said, while pointing out how the party had shown great faith in his leadership. He also claimed that Jaswant Singh was also suspended from the primary membership in 2014 for contesting against the party candidate.