BJP in dilemma over taking action against Lal Singh

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 31

The “defensive” BJP is in a dilemma to take action against its “outspoken” rebel leader Choudhary Lal Singh, who has refused to withdraw his candidature from both Lok Sabha seats of the Jammu province.

Former BJP MLA from the Basholi Assembly segment of Kathua district, Lal Singh is contesting the Lok Sabha elections as a candidate of the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan on the Udhampur-Doda and Jammu-Poonch seats against the saffron party’s official candidates.

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh andJugal Kishore Sharma are re-seeking the people’s mandate for both Lok Sabha seats as the candidates of the BJP, respectively.

No senior BJP leader is ready to speak on record on Lal Singh’s “status” in the party as he has refused to withdraw his candidature from both Lok Sabha seats.

“The state leadership has asked the Central government to take a decision on Lal Singh because it was all due to the directions of the high command that the state unit has been delaying action against him,” a senior BJP leader told The Tribune, maintaining, “Candidates contesting the elections have asked the leadership to take stand on Lal Singh’s status.”

Lal Singh is openly invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek support of the people to defeat Union Minister Jitendra Singh against whom the former has announced to contest from the Udhampur-Doda constituency.

“I am not contesting the Lok Sabha elections to weaken the Prime Minister. My fight is to restore the dignity and honour of the ethnic Dogra minority,” said Lal Singh.

“Local BJP leaders have backstabbed the Dogras at a crucial time. My fight is only against those who have cheated people after getting their votes,” Choudhary Lal Singh said.