BJP justifies induction of Kushwaha in party

New Delhi, Jan 6 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman, on Friday said that the party welcomed Babu Singh Kushwaha since he represented the backward community.

Sitharaman said that the party received him with an aim to uplift the backward community.

"Mr Kushwaha represents a very backward class community and he has come into the party, the party has received him, but joining the party is no immunity for anything and the law will take its full course," said Sitharaman.

She also said that the party is determined to provide leadership to the backward community.

"OBCs are gradually denied leadership and a place in any political party. As a result, here you will find one OBC who has come to the BJP and there are many others within the BJP already. But here is a case where you are finding that a pattern is emerging in Uttar Pradesh," added the BJP spokesperson.

She further criticised the Congress by saying it should at the first outset clean its own stables prior to pointing a finger at its opponents.

"Congress, before readily jumping and criticising the BJP, should answer about the corrupt ministers or allegedly corrupt ministers who are sitting in the central cabinet, even today. Let them clear their name on that, and then charge us with anything," stated Sitharaman.

Kushwaha, the former Health and Family Welfare Minister of Uttar Pradesh was expelled by Chief Minister and head Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati, found refuge in the BJP on Tuesday (January 03).

Barely a day later, the Central Bureau of Investigation raided Kushwaha's residences for his alleged involvement in swindling funds allocated to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a central health scheme for the rural population.

The raid came as an embarrassment for BJP and reports of a rift within the party featuring radical leader Uma Bharati erupted in media. (ANI)