"Ousting veteran Sikh leader Sartaj Singh shows BJP's anti-minority mindset"

NewsBits.in

Senior Correspondent

BHOPAL: Ousting veteran Sikh leader Sartaj Singh from the cabinet shows the anti-minorities' mindset, said the Congress.

The party said this after the induction of nine new ministers in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet in Madhya Pradesh.

Attacking the BJP for removal of Sartaj Singh and Babulal Gaur, Congress said that the decision was clearly against 57% backwards and minorities in the State.

Sartaj Singh, who hails from Hoshangabad, is a senior BJP leader, who was holding the Public Works Department portfolio in the cabinet. Singh, 76, has apparently been ousted because he is over 75.

"This is an insult to the minorities, especially, Sikh community in the state and also the backward population", said Congress spokesperson KK Mishra.

"These leaders were punished for their honesty. If age is the sole criterion, then Kusum Mehdale and Gyan Singh are also veterans", he further said. The party said that while experienced leaders were removed, there was nepotism visible as sons of senior party leaders were made ministers.