Shatrughan joins opposition leaders at Kolkata rally, says not afraid if BJP removes him

Miffed over the presence of its Patna Sahib MP, Shatrughan Sinha at the TMC’s Brigade Ground rally, the BJP on Saturday made it clear that the party will take “cognisance” of his presence at the united opposition rally against the Narendra Modi government and termed the actor-turned-politician an “opportunist.”

“My elder brother Yashwant Sinha was saying that after this I will be definitely removed from the party, I told him ‘koi baat nahi hai’ (no problem),” he said. Known for his powerful dialogues in Hindi movies, Sinha said, “He is in Bharatiya Janata Party but before that he is with Bharat ki janata.”

He spoke at length and attacked the Modi government on the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal, demonetisation and implementation of GST.

Sinha insisted he would continue to “show mirror” to BJP and call “a spade a spade”. https://t.co/AGBXJzuJdb

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) January 19, 2019

“If you keep suppressing facts, people will continue to say ‘chaukidar chor hain’,” he said, using the word Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been employing to criticise the prime minister on the Rafale jet deal issue.

Sharing the stage with opposition leaders in Kolkata, disgruntled BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha Saturday called for changing the government in the 2019 Lok Sabha election and said he was not afraid of being removed from the ruling party.

Describing Mr Sinha as an “opportunist,” BJP’s national spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said he was in the party to enjoy the perks of being an MP, but at the same time seen making different voices at various platforms.

Taking a dig at the Patna Sahib MP, Mr Rudy said some people are “intelligent in different ways”. They abide by the party’s whip so that they don’t lose their membership. At the same time, they are so opportunistic… And can be present at any conclave. The BJP will take cognisance of it.”

“Sinha has been speaking against the party at various platforms. And it is always important for the BJP to act against such people and the party will take cognisance of it,” Mr Rudy said.

Known for his powerful dialogues in Hindi movies, Sinha said, “He is in Bharatiya Janata Party but before that, he is with Bharat ki janata.”