Date:13/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/13/stories/2008071354950700.htm

Other States - Rajasthan

Jagat Singh joins BSP

Special Correspondent

Natwar Singh not present to witness son’s entry

JAIPUR: The son of former External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh, Jagat Singh, on Saturday joined the Bahujan Samaj Party along with his followers at a formal function.

Mr. Jagat Singh, who is an MLA elected on Congress ticket from Laxmangarh in Alwar district, was expelled from the party some time ago following a controversy over his alleged involvement in the much talked about Iraqi oil-for-food programme scandal. Though Mr. Natwar Singh was not present to witness his son’s entry into the BSP, the latter gave indications that the father too might in the near future join the same party.

More than two dozen representatives of panchayati raj institutions in the districts of Bharatpur and Alwar, besides Rajvir Singh, the Zila Pramukh of Bharatpur, joined the BSP on the occasion.

The BSP in-charge for Rajasthan, Dharmvir Ashok, and State unit president Dungar Ram Gaider were among those present. Soon after Mr. Jagat Singh’s formal entry into the party, which is trying hard to make a foothold in Rajasthan, especially in the east districts adjoining Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Dharmvir Ashok announced his appointment as the vice-president of the State unit.

Talking to journalists later, Mr. Jagat Singh, elected MLA for the first time, confirmed his father’s intention to join the BSP. “The place and time would be made known at the appropriate time,” he said.