BJP expels Jaswant Singh over Jinnah remarks BJP leader Jaswant Singh holds his book titled 'Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence' during its release. He was expelled by BJP on Wednesday. (PTI Photo) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday expelled senior leader Jaswant Singh from the primary membership of the party two days after the release of his book praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.BJP president Rajnath Singh told reporters here that the party's parliamentary board decided to expel the former external affairs minister from the primary membership of the party. "Yesterday, I issued a statement about the BJP dissociating itself from Jaswant Singh's views. The party discussed the matter at the chintan baithak (introspection session) and it was decided to expel him," Rajnath Singh said. BJP had on Tuesday dissociated itself from the book written by Jaswant Singh praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah, saying the "painful" part of history cannot be wished away for which the Pakistan founder was responsible. "Views expressed by Jaswant Singh in his book 'Jinnah -- India, Partition, Independence' does not represent views of the party. In fact, the party completely dissociates itself from the contents of the book," party chief Rajnath Singh told reporters here. In his book, Jaswant Singh has held Jawaharlal Nehru responsible for the partition of India and Jinnah has been "demonised" in India. Rajnath Singh underlined that Jinnah had played an important role in "division of India which led to a lot of dislocation and destabilisation of millions of people". "It is too well known we cannot wish away this painful part of our history," he said. He also took objection to ridiculing of Sardar Vallabhai Patel by Jaswant Singh, saying the first Home Minister played a historic role in unification and consolidation of India amidst serious threats to its unity and integrity. "The entire country remains indebted and proud of all the profound vision, courage and leadership of Patel," he said. |
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