BHOPAL : Former minister Laxmikant Sharma may have resigned from the BJP when he was arrested in Vyapam scam, but the BJP leaders of Vidisha came out in droves in his support during his release from jail.
Vidisha district president of the BJP, Toran Singh Dangi, district cooperative bank chairman Shyam Sunder Sharma, Gokul Patwa and several BJP leaders of the areas reached the Central Jail, Bhopal to fetch Sharma. The followers of Sharma, led by these leaders, also did sloganeering in Sharma’s support. The premises of Central Jail echoed with slogan ‘Jan-Jan Ka Yeh Nara Hai, Laxmikant Hamara Hai’ for around four hours on Sunday.
A long fleet of vehicles came to welcome the release of Sharma. The followers were dancing to the beats of drums. Firecrackers were also burst.
Sharma, overwhelmed on receiving such a welcome, said he had no idea that so many people would come to fetch him. Denying it as a display of one’s political clout, Sharma said it merely shows love and faith of his followers.
Political analyst Girijashankar maintains all things in politics, nowadays, are done in an organized way. He said it may not have been a show of one’s political clout, but it was a way to show one’s public standing. Girijashankar said crowd does not come of its own even in meetings of big leaders and in this condition, such a convoy of vehicles and gathering of followers can be ensured only by planning. Sharma, who has been released on bail, was accorded welcome at several places between Bhopal and Sironj.
Former Minister’s release creates political sensation
The release of former Minister Laxmikant Sharma from jail in much talked about Vyapam scam, is creating political sensation. CBI is investigating into the Vyapam scam. Sharma has so far not named anyone in this scam.
The state’s investigation agency is also said to be one of the reasons behind Sharma not naming anyone so far. CBI is not under the state government and the political leaders are anxiously eying on Sharma giving facts in his defence, which may prove to be troublesome to others.
The mystery behind the entries made by former Vyapam System Analyst Nitin Mahindra in Excel sheet, allegedly recommended by Sharma, is still unsolved. Although names of several BJP leaders surfaced in Vyapam scam besides Sharma but STF could not gather evidence against them and they were not interrogated. Political circles are rife with speculations about what direction would CBI probe go through Sharma.
