National

Vasundhara’s adviser quits BJP

New Delhi: After the Congress, the cash-for-ticket allegation rocked the BJP on Thursday with Vishwendra Singh, an adviser of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, resigning from the party alleging influence of “money power” in the selection of candidates for the Assembly polls.

“I have been an active member of the BJP and political adviser to Rajasthan Chief Minister. I have seen things from very close quarters. I am dismayed at the sale of tickets for the Rajasthan Assembly polls and have decided to leave the party,” the MP from Bharatpur said in a statement here.

The embarrassment to the BJP comes close on the heels of a similar allegation levelled by senior Congress leader Margaret Alva, who complained of discrimination against her son Nivedith after he was denied ticket for the Karnataka Assembly polls.

Mr. Singh said he had sent his resignation to Lok Sabha Speaker “as I feel that I should not continue as an MP of BJP.”

Reacting to the resignation, the party’s Rajasthan in charge Gopinath Munde said, “He [the MP] was demanding too much from the party. We have tried our bit but there is a limit to things.”

While Mr. Singh did not reveal his future plans, he announced that he would be contesting the Assembly polls. There is speculation that he may join the Congress or may contest as a Congress-supported candidate.

“I will contest the Dig-Kumher seat,” Mr. Singh said. — PTI

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