Babu Singh Kushwaha:
The 2014 General elections saw the Congress reaching its lowest electoral point with just 44 seats, partly on account of the huge anti-corruption sentiment in the nation. Marred with serious of corruption charges, to the tune of Lakhs of Crores, Congress was brought to its knees. Despite its infamous past, Congress is yet to take any lessons from it. In a recent development, Congress has announced its alliance with Babu Singh Kushwaha led Jan Adhikar Party in Uttar Pradesh.
Babu Singh Kushwaha once considered Mayawati’s most trusted ‘backroom boy’, is an ex- UP Cabinet Minister of Family Welfare in Mayawati’s government for whom Rahul Gandhi had vowed, “You (BS Kushwaha) will be imprisoned” for his involvement in the NRHM scam in 2011. The NRHM scam came to light after two Chief Medical Officers (the top health functionary of the district) were successively murdered in wealthier localities of the state capital, Lucknow. Dr. Vinod Arya (Oct 2010) and Dr. B. P. Singh (April 2011) were shot dead in broad daylight outside their homes, by motorcycle assassins, using the same weapon. Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Y.S. Sachan was also murdered a day before he was set to appear in front of the court.
Sachidanand Gupta, the petitioner against the NRHM scam had spoken to Times Now and said: “When NRHM Policy was introduced in 2005; Babu Singh Kushwaha was the minister. First round of funding for NRHM was finished between May 15 and June, as per my understanding of the CBI report, it was reported that turmeric powder was found in the capsules instead of medicine. Since Babu Singh Kushwaha was the Minister at that time, his approval was required for everything.”
Also pointing towards the blatant hypocrisy on part of Congress, Sachidanand Gupta added: “Congress President Rahul Gandhi had filed the RTI in the matter. Rahul also spoke about the time when he rejected Kushwaha’s appeal to join the congress, right now, politicians are joining hands with people who are accused of murder of 3 CMO’s, the scam involved Lakhs and Crores of Rupees. Many Doctors have been jailed. Rahul Gandhi was the first person who highlighted this scam”
Rahul Gandhi in an election rally in 2012 had taken aim at Babu Singh Kushwaha and said, “Who is he (Babu Singh Kushwaha)? He stands in the first place in the race of corruption that’s going on in UP. He was doing rounds of Delhi, then came to the Congress and said you take me in and save me but we refused. We said that we won’t save you. You will be imprisoned”
Babu Singh Kushwaha also had a small stint at the BJP, but had to resign after voices of opposition from within the BJP. Babu Singh Kushwaha also had to make several trips to the jail for his involvement , however larger questions hover over the conduct of Congress and its President, Rahul Gandhi. With desperation taking the front seat, Congress seems to be going to any length to save itself from another embarrassment in the 2019 general elections. Recently Congress president, Rahul Gandhi was also snubbed by the Supreme Court for attributing comments against the Prime minister to the Court, for the same a contempt notice has also been issued to the Congress Chief. Congress is also in alliance with the RJD in Bihar, where RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav is already behind bars for his involvement in corruption scandals. However, with all the political compromises a simple question remains, Does Rahul have any credibility in saying ‘Chowkidar chor hai’ ?