Shimla: Himachal BJP president Rajiv Bindal today tendered his resignation from the party post saying that he was doing so on ‘high moral grounds’ after some people had levelled allegations about involvement in a unfolding medical supplies purchase corruption case.
Allegations of kickbacks for purchase of PPE Kits, N-95 Masks, Rapid Card Test Kits (IgM &TgG Anti-Body), Non-Contact Infra-Red Thermometers, Hand Sanitizers and Nitrile Gloves for combating Covid-19 pandemic had surfaced when a audio recording of a phone conversation about it went public over social media about a week ago.
One of the voice in the phone conversation was alleged to be that of Dr AK Gupta, the director of the HP State Health Services, who was subsequently asked to resign and has been arrested by the vigilance department on 20th May after a case in the matter was registered. A demand for Rs 5 lakh bribe is alleged to being made in the recorded conversation.
In his resignation letter Bindal, a former health minister, has stoutly denied involvement of any BJP leader in the corruption case for purchase of medical supplies. He stated that in order to conduct an impartial investigation and on ‘high moral grounds’ he was resigning as state president of the party
On the other hand, in a strongly worded statement, BJP senior leader Shanta Kumar termed the corruption surfacing for purchase of critical gear to fight the pandemic an ‘utter disgrace.’
Education minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that upholding the valued principles of the party, party president Bindal, like senior BJP leader LK Advani, had tendered his resignation when so much so as a finger was pointed at him.
Sudhir Sharma, secretary All India Congress Committee said that the resignation of State BJP President Dr. Rajiv Bindal reveals the level of involvement in purchase scam of the Health Department.
“This shows the level of involvement in the corruption at the Health Department where a state president of a national party has to resign,” stated Sharma.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
