New Delhi: The BJP is on the mat after an unprecedented furore over a derogatory CD released just ahead of Uttar Pradesh elections, allegedly meant for campaigning in the state.
Monday is likely to be a decider of sorts for the party’s future in Uttar Pradesh elections as the Election Commission begins a hearing in the case.
The Commission had lodged FIRs against senior party leaders, after CNN-IBN’s sister network IBN7 aired the contents of the CD that contained inflammatory references to Muslims.
The controversy left BJP's rivals like the Congress and BSP baying for blood with the Congress planning to demand a CBI probe and asking the Commission to derecognise BJP.
"The BJP is trying to spread hatred,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Other BJP rivals like the BSP and VP Singh's Jan Morcha have also launched a major offensive.
“The BJP should be de-recognised. It is spreading communalism. Politics should be devoid of all this,” said Jan Morcha leader VP Singh.
Caught on the backfoot, the saffron party is now crying foul. Party President Rajnath Singh - against whom an FIR has been filed - will court arrest in Lucknow on Monday.
The party continues to maintain that the CD was released unintentionally and that a probe will be conducted into the matter. Senior leader Venkaiah Naidu has also alleged that there is a conspiracy against the party.
“Although the elections are happening in UP, the FIR has been lodged against our national president. Tomorrow Rajnath Singh will surrender in UP. This is a conspiracy,” said Naidu.
However, despite their brave posturing, the BJP leaders know they are on a sticky wicket.
The party will have to win over the Election Commission on Monday's hearing if it needs to remain in the fray for the UP elections.
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