‘My candidature not linked to BJP’

Raja accuses Stalin of spreading falsehood

September 12, 2017 12:47 am | Updated 12:47 am IST - CHENNAI

BJP national secretary H. Raja on Monday countered criticism over his bid to get elected to the post of president Bharat Scouts and Guides (Tamil Nadu) saying he was doing so in his individual capacity and not as a representative of the national party.

Accusing DMK leader M.K. Stalin of spreading falsehood about him entering the fray for the apolitical post, Mr. Raja told The Hindu that he would be constrained to initiate legal action against the former.

Denying that the AIADMK government was facilitating his election, the BJP leader said, “My candidature has got nothing to do with political activity. Only Stalin has politicised it.” Mr. Stalin’s allegations would not affect his decision to contest in the September 16 election. He had decided to contest for personal reasons. “My father has been in the organisation for decades. He was the district secretary and district commissioner of undivided Ramanathapuram district for years...From my school days, I was closely associated with the activities of the Scouts and Guides,” he said.

“What is wrong in it? I don’t understand. If the British stooges could rule the State and non-believers could be appointed as dharmakartha in temples, what is wrong in a nationalist being the State president of Bharat Scouts and Guides?” he asked.

Politicians heading the Bharat Scouts and Guides is not unprecedented. The organisation’s past seven national presidents –occupied by six individuals, dating back to 1976 – have all been politicians. Incumbent Anil Kumar Jain is a BJP national general secretary; his predecessor was Ashok Gehlot of the Congress.

Mr. Raja said that his August 24 meeting with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister at the Secretariat was a mere courtesy call intended to congratulate both on their role in the merger of two AIADMK factions.

A senior BJP leader, when contacted, said, “The party has nothing to do with this (Mr. Raja’s contesting). In fact, if we are seen to be winning positions with the help of the AIADMK government, it sends a wrong message.”

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