BSP expels former minister Kushwaha, accusing him of NRHM scam

LUCKNOW: The ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has expelled former minister and party's general secretary Babu Singh Kushwaha on charges of anti-party activities and indiscipline. The party has also blamed Kushwaha, who at one point of time enjoyed number two position after Mayawati in the BSP, for the scam in implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and murders of three medical officers in Lucknow.Kushwaha had recently expressed threat to his life from cabinet secretary Shahshank Shekhar Singh, principal secretary home Fateh Bahadur Singh and public works department minister Naseemuddin Siddqui.
According to BSP state president Swami Prasad Maurya, Babu Singh Kushwaha never fought a direct election as he does not have any mass base. However, since Kushwaha was working for the party since long, on his request chief minister Mayawati made him member of the legislative council and later minister in the government, Mayura said. Kushwaha also requested high command to make him minister of family welfare department, he said. "Kushwaha at that time said that as member of legislative council and minister, he will be able to bring people of his community close to BSP. The high command accepted his request," said Maurya.
However, Maurya said, Kushwaha did not discharge his duties efficiently, as a result of which NRHM scam took place. Further, he said, two chief medical officers (CMOs), incharge of family welfare department in Lucknow, were shot dead during Kushwaha's tenure as minister. Later, he said, a deputy chief medical officer, who was arrested on charges of hatching a conspiracy to kill the two CMOs, died in jail. "Kushwaha was asked to resign from the post of minister after killing of two CMOs and surfacing of NRHM scam in April earlier this year. The chief minister also recommended CBI inquiry into the scam and murder of the two CMOs," he said.
Maurya said that instead of mending his ways, Kushwaha started anti-party activities by instigating party workers hailing from his community against BSP leadership. Kushwaha, he added, also did not come to attend the recent legislative council session, giving Opposition an opportunity to attack the BSP government. Maurya claimed that Kushwaha also provoked Opposition to create ruckus in the council session. He said that Kushwaha also levelled baseless allegations against senior ministers and government officials. He said that in order to serve his personal interests, Kushwaha indulged in activities which have tarnished the image of party.
Maurya also claimed that Kushwaha is also in touch with Congress to save himself from CBI investigation in NRHM scam. "When Kushwaha saw legal dragnet tightening around him, he made baseless allegations expressing threat to his life. The BSP does not tolerate any kind of indiscipline, hence he has been expelled," said Maura, who is now being promoted by Mayawati has backward classs face of the party replacing Kushwaha. The latter was associated with BSP since its inception and was Maya's most trusted lieutenant. His departure may not cause electoral loss to BSP but can hit BSP government if he turns approver in NRHM scam.