Jaswant treated badly by BJP, says Shekhawat

New Delhi: Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh has found one more supporter.

Former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Thursday praised Jaswant’s book on Pakistan founder MA Jinnah and also appeared to reprimand the party for asking him to quit Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman's post.

“The way Jaswant was treated was not good. After reading his book, there is a need to praise him. If Jaswant Singh’s book is read carefully (one would find that) it is worth praising,” Shekhawat told reporters soon after his meeting with Jaswant.

“There is a fall in standards in the party. Indiscipline has increased. According to the people, Jaswant should be with the party and I am with the people,” Shekhawat added.

Jaswant went to meet Shekhawat on Thursday.

“I have known him since 1966. I came to enquire about his health,” he said after meeting 86-year-old Shekhawat.

Shekhawat expressed his unhappiness over the state of affairs in BJP, which has seen internal squabbles and tussle for leadership after the Lok Sabha poll debacle.

When Jaswant was asked about BJP’s argument that as per convention the post of PAC should remain with the main Opposition in the country, Shekhawat intervened and answered on his behalf, saying, “BJP leaders should respect Parliamentary conventions and ethics”.

On the problems afflicting BJP, he said, “Mutual trust among BJP leaders is decreasing and because of this, there are fissures in the party.

Shekhawat said if BJP sought his advice, he will definitely provide it.

“I don't give unsolicited advice,” he said.

Jaswant also extended an invitation to Shekhawat to attend a rally he is organising in Rajasthan on September 22 and the latter agreed to it.