Political parties should not support criminals: Haryana BJP in-charge

Appearing in a damage-control mode, the BJP on Monday said the Haryana government will implement the court’s decision against Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim while agreeing that political parties should not get cosy with such tainted people.

BJP’s reaction came soon after the CBI special court announced the quantum of punishment against the Dera chief.

BJP general secretary and in-charge of Haryana state, Anil Jain, said: “No political party should support any criminal. Everyone, whether it’s an individual or an organisation or a political party, should take care to keep away from such tainted people.”

On being prodded why top leaders of his party, including Prime Minister Modi and party chief Amit Shah, sought votes from Gurmeet Ram Rahim before Haryana elections and later a State minister gave donations to his Dera, Jain said there is a difference between an accused and a convict.

“How a person can be presumed criminal just on the basis of accusations? Conviction is different…. As far as elections are concerned, political parties seek support from every voter and they will. The election process is different from law and order, crime, rapes and social incidents,” said Jain.

Jain refused to comment on court’s observation again PM Modi and Khattar.

“Law has …read more