BJP distances itself from senior leader Shanta Kumar's views

BJP on Tuesday snubbed party veteran Shanta Kumar over his concerns on charges facing its state governments and demand for a 'Lokpal', saying he has been carried away by the Congress propaganda, and completely disassociated itself with his views.

Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters that what Kumar has said or written, the party completely disassociated itself with it.

"We generally consider Shanta Kumar a very mature leader. But it seems that he has been carried away by the propaganda of the Congress. Whatever he has said or written, we completely disassociate with Mr Shanta Kumar''s version," Rudy said.

Kumar, former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and union minister, is among the veteran BJP leaders who have been marginalised under the reign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah. The 80-year-old leaders enjoys a clean image.

In an explosive letter to Shah, Kumar has demanded a 'Lokpal' in the party to tackle the cases of corruption like Vyapam which has "made all of us bow our heads in shame".

He also referred to allegations in some states, hinting to the controversy in Rajasthan surrounding CM Vasundhara Raje over Lalit Modi and Maharashtra where there are allegations of corruption against BJP Minister Pankaja Munde.