Kushwaha's induction isn't immunity to corruption charges: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party has come under fire for the induction of tainted Uttar Pradesh minister Babu Singh Kushwaha from within the party itself as well as from its allies.

Defending Kushwaha's induction, BJP spoksesperson Nirmala Sitharaman told the media on Friday that the party is serving the cause of OBCs by doing so. "The inclusion of Kushwaha into the party does not provide him immunity from corruption charges. We will discuss the issue with other party leaders and it will be sorted out."

Meanwhile, senior leaders like Yashwant Sinha and former president Bangaru Laxman have been defending his entry. Sinha described Kushwaha as a whistle blower who would expose Mayawati. Laxman being a Dalit leader came to the rescue of Kushwaha who also is an OBC leader.

The BJP is upset with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's statement on Thursday that the decision to induct Kushwaha as "patently wrong". The BJP has also received criticism from within the party itself with MPs Adiyanath, Kirti Azad and Maneka Gandhi against his inclusion.

Kushwaha was thrown out by UP Chief Minister Mayavati for siphoning off funds from National Rural Health Mission. He was persuaded by the BJP's UP president Surya Pratap Shahi and national vice-president Vinay Katiyar  to join the party and promised to give him a ticked for the upcoming assembly polls to be held in February.