Blow to BJP: Five-time Rajasthan MLA quits citing CM's corruption
What's the story
In yet another blow to the BJP, Ghanshyam Tiwari, a five-time MLA from Rajasthan, has quit the party, citing 'new heights of corruption.'
Though he didn't name CM Vasundhara Raje, he wrote in his resignation letter to party chief Amit Shah that "the chief of the state government, in collusion with some ministers and bureaucrats, has been robbing the state."
Allegations
Before leaving, Tiwari launches scathing attack on Raje
Tiwari accused Raje of nepotism too, saying she had appointed her cronies in important posts and introduced arbitrary laws.
There was an "undeclared emergency" in Rajasthan and in India, he said at a press conference later, and accused Congress and BJP of being hand-in-gloves in corruption.
The Sanganer MLA will now contest elections from the same constituency from the new Bharat Vahini Party.
Quote
BJP dismisses the development as 'not impactful'
State BJP President Ashok Parnami dismissed the development, saying it won't impact BJP's performance at all. "It sends a good message to the party cadres that there is no place in the party for leaders who are undisciplined," Parnami said.
Amit Shah
Amit Shah's name once again in corruption allegations
But before leaving, Tiwari also trained his guns on Shah, accusing him of inaction and surrendering to corruption.
This comes days after allegations emerged against Shah, who apparently heads a bank that netted strikingly high deposits of old Rs. 500/1,000 notes during demonetization.
The story gained more steam after several publications took it down within hours.
Roadblocks
BJP hopes for a smoother future after several roadblocks
In the political front too, the BJP has been having difficult times. Days ago, it quit the ruling alliance in J&K, citing its ally PDP's inability to check terrorism.
But citizens turned their ire on the saffron party too.
Meanwhile, electoral losses in the wake of a united opposition, and a gradually strengthening unity in other parties, is giving it sleepless nights.