Don’t do a Bangaru on him: Bangaru to BJP

Banished to solitude, a former BJP president is recalling his nightmare now. Three years after a similar tape pushed him to the margins of p...

Banished to solitude, a former BJP president is recalling his nightmare now. Three years after a similar tape pushed him to the margins of politics, Bangaru Laxman is still bitter.

When reached by The Indian Express at Hyderabad for his response to the latest scandal to hit the ruling party, Laxman said: ‘‘The BJP should not act in haste against Dilip Singh Judeo, the way it did in my case. The BJP did not lend any moral support to me when I was targeted. Rather, I was sidelined. The party suffered in the process.’’

How did the party suffer? ‘‘My installation as the party president had motivated Dalits and minorities to rally round the BJP in large numbers. The party started undergoing a marked social expansion. This is evident from the way Dalits and minorities were turning up at party public meetings. The party lost their support when it abandoned me. My ouster from office defeated the very purpose for which I was brought in.’’

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When asked if he would come to the aid of a besieged Judeo, the former BJP president said: ‘‘I am ready to serve the party. However, I don’t see the possibility of the party taking my cooperation. The leadership could utilise my services in UP, Punjab and Goa. Had it done so, we

would not have slipped to the third position in UP.’’

As for the strategy the BJP needed formulate to cope with the present crisis, Bangaru said: ‘‘We should face this political conspiracy boldly, keeping in mind that the CD has surfaced in the backdrop of elections.’’

He said, ‘‘I was targeted because I was expanding the BJP’s social base. Judeo has been targeted because he represents the tribal-cause. Though he is from a former ruling family, he is widely revered by tribals. He has been singled out becasue he is our chief ministerial candidate. This is Ajit Jogi’s last attempt to block his way.’’