This denial came despite the fact that the probe committee’s report quotes Shekhar as having said in his deposition: “Money collected from petrol pump scam had been lavishly spent among workers, for carrying out anti-party activities’’.

Meanwhile, party president Rajnath Singh, when contacted, told The Indian Express: “Though party leaders do make recommendations to people in the government, there is no question of any BJP functionary making money in lieu of allotment of petrol pumps in Kerala.” When pointed out that there, indeed, was a report, he said: “I am not aware of this, I will check up with the state unit.”

The BJP said that Mukundan no longer held charge of the organisation in Kerala. “He was removed soon after I assumed the presidency,” Rajnath Singh said. The BJP chief’s emphasis on Mukundan’s removal from Kerala is indicative of his indictment by the party committee. — with ENS

‘Left on EC reform suggestions more like poll-rigging charter’

NEW DELHI: Joining the CPI(M) over its plea for Election Commission reforms, the BJP said here on Thursday the CPI(M) suggestions read like a charter for poll rigging. BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley trashed most CPI(M) suggestions but welcomed the idea that members and chairperson of the EC be appointed by a collegium comprising the PM, the CJI or his nominee and the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

“Let them come forward with this proposal in Parliament if they are sincere about it...The NDA...would extend its support to them and also give them credit for it,” he said.