WHAT! BJP's Babulal Gaur holds Congress flag during Independence Day event

Veteran BJP leader Babulal Gaur was reportedly not happy the way he was asked to resign from the state Cabinet in the last reshuffle apparently on the ground of old age.

Bhopal: In yet another gaffe, veteran BJP leader Babulal Gaur on Tuesday held a Congress flag during a programme organised on the occasion of 70th Independence Day here.

The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister took part in the 'Paigam-e-Mohabbat' programme organised by local Congress MLA Arif Aqueel yesterday.

Aqueel has been organising the programme on Independence Day since many years. He had invited religious heads, freedom fighters and prominent party leaders for the event.

Gaur participated in the event in his capacity as a freedom fighter.

A rally was taken out from Bhopal Talkies which was flagged-off by those present there. At this point, to everyone's surprise, Gaur took in his hands the Congress flag, causing murmurs in political circles.

"Gaur Sahab is no doubt angry with BJP, but he is a very senior leader of the party and deeply rooted with it. Somebody handed over him a Congress flag which he had held in his hands in the true spirit of the programme. Nothing more should be read into it," Aqueel said today.

However, he added, "If he (Gaur) leaves BJP and joins Congress, the party would welcome him with an open heart."

When contacted, Gaur said, "I have been attending this programme every year in my capacity as a freedom fighter. Aqueel used to honour those who fought for the country, including MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) detainees among others."

"During the flagging-off ceremony, somebody handed me a flag and the moment I noticed it was not of my party I gave it back. Nothing more should be read into it," he said and asserted that he will not leave BJP.

"The question of leaving BJP does not arise as it had made me the chief minister from a mere labourer. It made my daughter-in-law mayor of Bhopal and has given me a lot. Why should I go to a party whose existence is in danger," Gaur asked.

Gaur, who was also the state home minister, was reportedly not happy the way he was asked to resign from the state Cabinet in the last reshuffle apparently on the ground of old age.

He had also created an unpleasant situation for the ruling party a few times during the monsoon session of the Assembly by asking unpalatable questions. 

(With PTI inputs)