Anna's aide slams BJP over inclusion of tainted leader Kushwaha

Ghaziabad, Jan 5 (ANI): Team Anna member Sanjay Singh on Thursday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for inducting sacked Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Babu Singh Kushwaha, currently under investigation for swindling money in connection with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, in its fold.

Sanjay Singh said that every political party was shielding the corrupt, and added that the BJP was no different.

"Of course, every political party has its share of corrupt people. Recently, there has been a sudden surge to induct corrupt and anti-social elements into the party due to the elections in Uttar Pradesh. It's definitely worrying for democracy," Singh told the media here.

"The statement that came from the Bharatiya Janata Party is quite preposterous. They say if drains are taken into the Ganga (Ganges River) then they are also purified. I feel the BJP should try and assimilate pure water into the party and not impure drains, which would make the Ganga dirty," he added.

Sanjay Singh said the induction of Kushwaha had raised questions over the BJP's stand against corruption.

"I feel that all the corrupt and wrong individuals should be kept away from politics. Whichever party is inducting them is absolutely wrong. We condemn it. The BJP has made a huge mistake by inducting Babu Singh Kushwaha. This shows how serious they are about fighting graft. The whole country is watching this," he added.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier on Wednesday raided Kushwaha's residence for his alleged involvement in swindling funds allocated to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a Central Government's health scheme for the rural population.

The investigating agency also conducted raids at over 50 other locations in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.

Kushwaha has been named as an accused with 50 others including government officials in FIRs registered against the NRHM officials and private companies. They have been charged with criminal misconduct and abuse of office.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh also criticized Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh, who had earlier accused veteran social activist Anna Hazare of having links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Commenting on Digvijay Singh's statements on the RSS, Sanjay Singh said, "He remembers the RSS more than Nitin Gadkari does in a day." In fact, Digvijay's brother was a former BJP lawmaker. He has deep relations with the BJP and RSS. We have been saying this for a while now," he added.

Digvijay Singh had said earlier last month that Anna Hazare had links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and had worked as secretary with RSS leader Nanaji Deshmukh. (ANI)