BJP’s embarrassment: Karuna Shukla’s resignation and continued loyalty

In poll bound Chhattisgarh, Karuna Shukla is a known name. She is not only former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s niece, she is a hard working party member who has been a former Lok Sabha MP.

Just two days ago, Shukla resigned from all posts of the party. Not only that, she alleged that she was being “continuously neglected” by the senior party leaders. But the allegation went up higher on Monday.

“I feel that the BJP in Chhattisgarh was mentally torturing me because of which I felt that my usefulness to the party had come to an end,” Shukla, an ex-MP from Janjgir and former member of the undivided Madhya Pradesh Assembly, said.

Shukla had been seeking ticket from the party in the poll bound Chhattisgarh. It was thought that her not receiving a ticket might be the reason behind her resignation. But Shukla asserted that her resignation from the party had nothing to do with seeking a ticket from Beltara (in Chhattisgarh) seat for next month’s Assembly elections.

“Every party worker has a right to ask for an election ticket but not much importance can be attached to whether he gets it or not,” said Shukla, also a former national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha.

She alleged that she was removed from all posts and was not consulted for anything. Shukla said she was very sad at quitting the BJP but because the manner in which the party “treated” her, she was forced to leave it.

The former MP said she had spent five days in Delhi seeking a meeting with BJP president Rajnath Singh, but he could not find the time to meet her. “I can understand that he can be busy but at least he should have replied to my phone calls,” Karuna said. She said it was strange that the BJP did not treat her gracefully although she had served the party for more than 30 years.

It was also presumed that Shukla will join Congress but she declined offer by the party saying she would never do that.

Given the fact that BJP pays extra attention to party cadre, loyalty and workmanship, it is strange to see Shukla being neglected by senior members, that too Rajnath Singh. But it is the same Singh who has started the tradition of overlooking dissenting voices, even if they come from senior cadres, if he is sure about the viability of a leader. The party seniority is yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.

Whatever the reason be, Shukla’s resignation has come as an embarrassment for the party who speaks and practices greater participation of women in politics.