By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 21 July 2015: Veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party Shanta Kumar has shaken the party with his two-page letter to party chief Amit Shah. Former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Kumar of Jan Sangh era sounded very sad at the eruption of scams in the BJP-ruled states in last one year. Kumar, in his eighties, has suggested the party to set up a moral committee to keep watch on party leaders who are part of the government before it is too late.
Lok Sabha Member Shanta Kumar wrote the letter on 10th July but he made it public on 20th July, maybe after he did not get any response from the party leadership. Kumar posted his two-page letter in Hind on his twitter handle @shantakumarbjp.
“Under your leadership, new programs are being implemented to give new directions and dimensions to the party. We are fortunate that BJP has become the largest political party in the world and now you are guiding it to make it the strongest and most influential party,” Kumar began his letter praising Amit Shah but started his next line with a pinch.
“One thinker has said that it is good to be big but to be good is better than that because all big things are not good,” wrote Kumar and then he recalled his old days of Jana Sangh and how politics for power eroded the image of the party over the years.
BJP veteran and MP Shanta Kumar writes a letter to party chief Amit Shah
“I remember that in the 1951-52, after the formation of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, all thrust was given on value-based politics, and in workshops, speeches of leaders of the time and in the life of workers and party, protection of values was given priority. We slowly came to power and after coming to power, lots changed. The value-based politics made compromises with power politics. Yet, we appeared distinct from other parties. But politics for power certainly tried to slowly dent our identity of a party with difference,” he wrote.
Shanta Kumar boldy said that eruption of scams from Rajasthan to Maharashtra to Madhya Pradesh has ashamed the party workers across the country.
“In the 10 years of Congress rule, values of governance were disrespected so grossly that people became angry and saw hope in the leadership of Narendra Modi…we formed the government at the centre (May 2014) with great pride. One year was full of achievements. While we were celebrating our achievements, all of a sudden, something eclipsed it. From Rajasthan to Maharashtra people began raising fingers at us. The reports about Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh have held our heads in shame. The way newspapers and TV channels are reporting the scam, it is natural that any Indian would feel hopeless. The worker of BJP is walking with his head down.”
In his letter, Shanta Kumar has suggested party chief Amit Shah to set up a moral committee to have a watch on leaders of the party who are working in the government.
“To run the organisation properly, you have formed several committees at central and state levels. My suggestion is that a new committee ‘Moral Committee’ also must be formed. The committee should have such experienced and dedicated party workers who have never compromised on values. This committee should serve as lokpal at central and state levels and could dare to point out mistakes of the leaders in the government on right time.”
He wrote that the scams did not occur in one day but indications were ignored.
“The allegations being leveled against us in some states have not come up in one day. This must have started long ago and certainly must have been smelt time to time. Some people must have talked about it but due to lack of any proper system, no action was taken in time. This is now costing the party in the entire country.”
In the end, he warns the party leadership to wake up before it is too late.
“The politics of whole India has become politics of deceit, self-interest and politics for only vote and power. The politics of nationalism and service is hardly seen. In this scenario, our party is the last ray of hope. If even we could not get full success then history will never forgive us,” wrote Kumar.
