Madhya Pradesh: Two-day delay in reacting to Lodhi crisis could cost BJP dear
BHOPAL: BJP was slow in responding to the conviction of MLA Prahlad Lodhi and it could cost the party the Pawai seat, some party leaders fear.
A special court in Bhopal gave its verdict on Thursday, sentencing Lodhi to two years’ imprisonment, but for two days the party leadership failed to take note of the dangling sword of disqualification until Speaker N P Prajapati declared the seat vacant on Saturday evening. Now, party leaders have begun questioning the failure of the state organisation in pursuing the case, and why the state leadership didn’t see the danger looming on Pawai seat.
“This is a matter of grave concern. The criminal case against Lodhi was registered during the BJP government but the party did not pursue it. Now, the party has lost one more seat,” said a senior BJP state functionary. Saffron leaders have raised the issue before national leadership.
“This is an arbitrary decision by Speaker N P Prajapati and the organisation must launch an agitation against Lodhi’s disqualification,” said MLA Kedar Shukla, who had earlier demanded the removal of BJP state president Rakesh Singh after the Jhabua debacle.
BJP veteran Raghunandan Sharma said Lodhi’s disqualification was a one-sided decision by the Speaker. “I always tell the truth. I had raised crucial issues on lack of communication in the party. In this matter, the Speaker took decision without the consent of Governor. This is unethical,”
“We will get justice in high court. We will fight for it,” said former minister Narottam Mishra. LoP Gopal Bhargava said, “The party will pursue the case and approach the highest authority for justice for Lodhi.”
Lodhi has approached MP high court. “I come from a very poor background. I did not have the money to contest panchayat elections. I was aiming high and became an MLA with everyone’s support. Now, Congress is harassing me,” he told reporters in Jabalpur on Sunday. The All India Lodhi-Lodha Samaj has threatened a statewide agitation unless Lodhi’s membership is restored within 24 hours.
