BJP decides to boycott Sushil Kumar Shinde

02 February, 2013

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to boycott Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde over Hindu terror remark. Notably, Shinde had alleged that the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are engaged in the activity of recruiting and training Hindu militants in their camps.

BJP senior leader Ananth Kumar said that the party leaders wouldn't communicate and attend meetings called by Shinde, who is also leader of the ruling party in the Lok Sabha. The boycott decision was taken by the party's core group a day after its top leadership, along with RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), decided to toughen their stand on Shinde. The decision from the BJP has come amid indications that the party may be nudged by the Sangh Parivar to sharpen its Hindutva agenda in the build-up to the 2014 polls.

BJP has also decide that BJP activists will show black flags to Shinde wherever he goes for a public meeting. Ananth Kumar said that until and unless Shinde tenders an apology for his controversial remarks, the party will continue to ignore him. The BJP core group has decided not to disrupt the budget session of Parliament over this issue. The newly elected party chief has already conveyed the message that Shinde will not be disturbed in the Parliament.

There are chances that VHP may raise this issue at the meeting of its Marg Darshak Mandal or steering committee scheduled for February 5-6 at Allahabad to coincide with Mahakumbh. A Dharma Sansad of Hindus has also been convened by the VHP at Allahabad on February 7 to discuss the issue.