Anger in BJP over tainted' engineer's entry

NEW DELHI: The recent joining of an assistant engineer, who was forced by the BJP-led North Delhi Municipal Corporation to take compulsory retirement, in the BJP’s city unit has created sharp differences in the rank and file of the party with a section of leaders alleging that involvement of such “tainted” officers could harm the party in the coming Assembly elections.

Sharafat Ali joined the saffron fold at its city unit headquarters at Pundit Pant Marg in presence of Delhi BJP vice president Shazia Ilmi, state minority morcha president Mohammed Haroon and media department head Ashok Goel on Tuesday evening. Mr Haroon who was present at  the event, however, said he had no role in Mr Ali’s joining the party. “I had no knowledge about his (Mr Ali) joining the BJP. Ms Ilmi and Mr Goel felicitated Mr Ali’s joining. No one consulted or informed me about Mr Ali joining the BJP. I participated in the function after seeing the presence of people from minority community. I have no knowledge about his past or anything about Mr Ali,” said Mr Haroon.

In an order dated October 31, North Corporation commissioner Varsha Joshi while excising her  powers had ruled compulsory retirement of Mr Ali along 38 other engineers of the civic body. Citing ground of Mr Ali’s compulsory retirement, a section of Delhi BJP leadership said that allowing joining of an officer of doubtful credential would ultimately harm the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fight against corruption.

A senior party leader also questioned the state leadership for allowing Mr Ali to join BJP. “Is anyone being held responsible for this? Who allowed him to join the party? Why his background was not checked,” he asked.

To avoid any such misadventure, a party leader suggested that a panel or committee of senior office bearers must be formed to get background checked of any new entrant in the BJP.