Lone to assume charge of Ministry soon: Khanna

BJP leaders giving away prizes to students at Jammu on Friday.
BJP leaders giving away prizes to students at Jammu on Friday.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Exuding confidence that People’s Conference (PC) supremo and MLA Handwara, Sajjad Lone whose Party is pre poll ally of BJP will assume the charge of his Ministry soon, BJP national vice president and Prabhari J&K Avinash Rai Khanna today said that Mr Lone is a member of BJP family and he has no misunderstanding with the party.
Talking to reporters at the sidelines of a prize distribution function organized by the Party at its Headquarters Trikuta Nagar here today to honour the meritorious students of Class 12th  whose results were declared two days back by the State Board of School Education, Khanna said “Sajjad Lone is an important part of  BJP family”.
He said because of some family compulsions Mr Lone could not assume charge of his office but he will definitely join as a Minister and start working. If there are some doubts in his mind we will discuss with him,” he added.
He said BJP was committed to holding of local body elections in the State but due to “unfortunate demise of the former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed there was a delay.  However we are working hard so that people of the State get their local representatives”, he added.
On a question about Congress allegation that BJP was indulging in vendetta politics over the issue of Augusta helicopter deal, Khanna said that BJP does not believe in “politics of vendetta” and wants the law to take its own course.
“We have always maintained the stand that Congress has done a major corruption in the Augusta helicopter deal. As the names have come forward now they (Congress) are trying to divert the attention of the people. Law will take its own course as we firmly believe in the law of the land,” he said.
“We don’t target any individual. Let the police and judiciary do its job,” he added.
Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party by terming it a party of turncoats which is without a leader and an agenda, Mr Khanna said “in Punjab, AAP is leaderless, direction-less, agenda-less and a party of turncoats. Those who don’t get tickets from other parties are going to AAP,”
He said that the people of Punjab were very intelligent and would once again vote for the Akali-BJP coalition.
Later addressing the function Mr Khanna said that parents and teachers deserve the respect and recognition as they are persons who chisel the young minds into high achievers for the benefit of the entire country and the society. Students should always show respect and regard for their parents and teachers, he added.
Addressing the function BJP State chief, Sat Sharma said these students have not made their parents to feel proud of them but entire society of Jammu. He said it is very encouraging that girls are outnumbering boys in merit and the day is not far away when they will be in the forefront in all other fields. He said all BJP Legislators and MPs have adopted schools to convert them into model schools.
The function among others was attended by BJP general secretary (Org) Ashok Koul, MLC Ajatshatru Singh, Party general secretaries, Dr Narinder Singh, Pawan Khajuria and Harinder Gupta and incharge Beti Bachao campaign, S S Bijral.
State secretary Ch Vikram Randhawa conducted the proceedings.