The BJP high command’s denial of ticket to Union minister Vijay Sampla from the Hoshiarpur constituency has come as a huge embarrassment to the sitting MP with the names of only a few ministers in Narendra Modi cabinet having been dropped from the list of candidates.
Even as the party cited “independent surveys” in which heavy anti-incumbency was found against Sampla, the move has surprised many as he did not court any major controversy —as an MP or minister.
Reacting sharply to the denial of ticket to him, Sampla on Tuesday took to Twitter saying the BJP has committed “cow slaughter”. “Bahut dukh hua, BJP ne gau hatya kar di (It is very painful, BJP has committed cow slaughter),” he wrote. In another tweet, he cited his “clean credentials” and asked the BJP as what was his fault and why he was denied re-nomination. “Mera dosh kya hai (What is my fault?)” , adding “there is no corruption charge against me. No one can raise a finger at my conduct.”
बहुत दुख हुआ भाजपा ने गऊ हत्या कर दी।
— Vijay Sampla (@vijaysamplabjp) April 23, 2019
He also highlighted the development works he undertook during his tenure as an MP. “I got an airport in the region, got many new trains started, got roads built,” tweeted Sampla.
“If this is the fault, I will tell my coming generations that they must not commit these mistakes,” he said.