In potentially damaging remarks for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the high-stakes Bihar polls, its MP R.K. Singh on Saturday alleged that party ticket were sold to criminals, a charge dismissed as “baseless” by the party but termed “exceptionally grave” by rivals.

Mr. Singh, a first-time Lok Sabha MP from Ara in the State and former Union Home Secretary, left the BJP acutely embarrassed when he said criminals were rewarded with ticket at the cost of genuine party workers which, he contended, obliterated the distinction between his own party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, who was being targeted for having established a ‘jungle raj’ when the RJD ruled the State.

‘Injustice to the people’

“Criminals have been given tickets even before they joined the party. This is injustice to the people of Bihar. Some people have sold tickets. What is this? How will we get clean administration?

“You have given tickets to criminals. How will you give a clean administration in Bihar? No reasons have been given why criminals were allotted tickets. It is not that only criminals can win elections. We as residents of Bihar are concerned. What is the difference between you and Lalu Prasad,” Mr. Singh said in Patna.

It was done fairly: Rajnath

The BJP, despite the seriousness of the allegation, was temperate in its reaction, with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserting tickets were distributed “fairly.”

“In the BJP, wherever there is ticket distribution, it is done fairly and after considering all aspects. As far as Bihar is concerned, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance will win a comfortable majority. It has the support of the people of Bihar,” he said.

Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad, who was in Bihar for campaigning, and Sushil Kumar Modi, dismissed Mr. Singh’s claim about tickets having been sold to criminals.

‘Transparency followed’

Mr. Prasad, a Rajya Sabha member from the State, said: “In the BJP, ticket is given to a nominee after transparent discussion by senior leaders.”

BJP spokesman Siddharth Nath Singh said the party followed a democratic and transparent process in deciding its nominees and advised Mr. R.K. Singh to follow party discipline and restraint.

“Every leader in Bihar needs to ensure that ‘jungle raj’ part II doesn’t come and, at the same time, it is important that party discipline and restraint is maintained,” he said.

JD (U) blasts Amit Shah

The Janata Dal (United) was quick to pounce on the BJP following the MP’s comments, describing them as “exceptionally grave” and alleging that BJP chief Amit Shah wanted to win the election by “hook or crook.”

“R.K. Singh is a senior member of the BJP from Bihar and he has had the courage to speak the truth. The unfortunate thing is that nobody is willing to listen to the truth anymore in the BJP, either in Bihar or Delhi.

“Sushil Modi [BJP leader and former Deputy CM] takes phone calls only from Amit Shah, and Amit Shah has decided, like elsewhere in the country, that he must win the election by hook or crook or by any other means,” Pawan Verma, JD(U)’s national spokesman, said.