INDORE: BJP general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya on Tuesday dismissed allegations of nepotism in his party even as he asserted the "right" of the deserving kin of politicians to demand ticket for contesting elections. Vijaywargiya's remarks came against the backdrop of reports that his son Akash is staking claim for a ticket from Indore for the November 28 assembly elections.
The senior BJP leader is an MLA from Mhow assembly constituency in Indore district. "Is it a crime to be born in a political family? Kin of politicians can also enter politics. If a member of a political family proves himself and demands ticket on the basis of his credentials, it is his right to do so," he told reporters.
Responding to a query, Vijaywargiya said he had not sought ticket for his son Akash.
However, he claimed that an internal survey conducted by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has found Akash eligible as a prospective nominee from four constituencies in Indore. "If my party finds it is right, it would make my son a nominee," he said.
Vijaywargiya also said the BJP didn't endorse dynastic politics unlike in the Congress "where only a member of the Gandhi family runs the party irrespective of his political eligibility".
When asked about Rahul Gandhi dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "thief" in public rallies, the BJP leader said the Congress chief was "polluting" the political atmosphere of the country by using "unparliamentary language".
"Usage of such language is the hallmark of the Congress," he said.
Gandhi has been firing barbs at the prime minister in election rallies in Madhya Pradesh over Rafale deal, where he had said the "Chowkidar Chor Hai" (the watchman is a thief)".
Meanwhile, BJP sources said the ticket distribution for nine seats in Indore district is getting delayed due to a reported tussle between local MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Vijaywargiya.