Jammu, Aug 6: Reiterating their firm and unanimous belief in the leadership of ousted party leader Chaman Lal Gupta, all suspended MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday alleged that some “vested interests” within state unit of party enacted a drama of cross-voting for Gupta’s expulsion.
They also challenged the BJP parliamentary board’s decision vis-à-vis suspension of the seven MLAs saying the decision was based on “hints” and it did not furnish “good grounds” to prove that they have committed any act of indiscipline.   
Suspended MLAs demanded immediate decision on the pending charges against them on the “cross voting” so that they could chalk out their next agenda.
“We feel that it was a concocted drama which was enacted by the vested interests (leaders) for expulsion of Chaman Lal Gupta. These leaders are bent upon to weaken the party at grass root levels,” one of the suspended MLAs Jagdish Raj Sapolia told reporters here.
Flanked by Durga Dass, Bharat Bhushan and Gharu Ram, Sapolia alleged: “There are some government touts working in the party who have acquired top positions and all diktats are followed against the party lines to completely weaken the BJP at grass root level. We assure you that names of such agents will be made public soon.”
Other two suspended MLAs Baldev Raj of Reasi and Lal Chand of Bani could not make to the venue due to some pre-occupations.
“With one voice, without any iota of differences, unanimously and to say finally that once for all with full command declare that we all the six have worked and shall work under the leadership of Chaman Lal Gupta,” he reiterated.
Demanding immediate decision- be it for or against—on pending charges against them on cross voting, the suspended MLAs said, “the reason for delaying the decision could be beautifully framed, but the attempts by few appears having left indelible imprints over the mind of public that cross voting has been committed by us. We find no other solution except expecting verdict from our party….”
“Until BJP does not moves in a resolution in the Legislative Assembly against us and the Speaker gives time to all for a debate on the issue which turns against us, we would remain as BJP MLAs and fight all forces against the party,” Sapolia asserted.
He gave the reference of Chief Minster Omar Abdullah being the leader of the House of all representatives despite being the president of the National Conference.
Sapolia also charged the present BJP incumbency ruining the party cadre in the state by “appeasing its mentors” in the ruling coalition.
“Our unanimous decision of having faith in the leadership of Gupta appears to be the only reason for the few headed by only one, who equates himself with Chaman Lal Gupta which has been made the basis of present episode,” he said, adding that all such leaders must go for self-introspection before leveling allegations on others.
“It needs to be made public that it was at the hints of members of core group, state president and general secretaries and Ranjit Singh that committee concluded ‘in these circumstances the committee unanimously come to the conclusion that these of BJP MLAs have voted against the whip and have not voted in favour of the party candidate,” Sapolia said. 
Meanwhile, the national general secretary of BJP JP Nadda, who was in Jammu to address a public meeting made a guarded statement on any outcome of the decision on the suspended MLAs.
Denying any ‘patch-up exercise’ being conducted by the party high command to reinstate the suspended MLAs, Nadda evade the query saying the Central Disciplinary Committee would take final decision on it.
“Since I am no authority to speak on this issue, the Committee is doing its job effectively and we are very hopeful of coming up with some decision soon,” said Nadda.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 7 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 7 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST