VETERAN BJP WORKER NEGLECTED

VETERAN BJP WORKER NEGLECTED

5-SEP-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------75-year-old BJP worker Ashok Kumar Singh alias Netaji, who devoted a long time of his life to strengthen the foundation of BJP, is now in need of pension in his old age. Netaji, who once expanded the party amidst the scorching heat of Naxalite activities, is today feeling worried and neglected by the policies of his own party. Ashok Kumar Singh, a resident of Narayanpur village, has been continuously active in BJP since its inception in 1980, holding various positions including that of a vistaarak. While working as RSS block in-charge in Sahar block, which is under Naxalite influence, from 1996 to 2000, he contributed to the expansion of the party without caring for his life. Seeing his honesty and loyalty, BJP also entrusted him with responsibilities like treasurer and later Agiaon block president (2003–2006). Netaji also strengthened the party by working day and night in the election campaign of BJP candidates like Sharda Devi, Shakuntala Devi and Shivesh Kumar. He was also a witness to the time when senior BJP leaders like Sushil Kumar Modi and Kamal Singh used to come to his village and spend the night there and lead the party meetings. Despite this, today at the age of 75, Netaji is wandering from door to door for government old age pension. Even after applying several times, he has been denied the pension amount. Ashok Kumar Singh said that "I dedicated my whole life to strengthening the party and social service, but today at this age no one is even asking about my well-being." The party's complete policy of expectations and the government's indifference has put this dedicated BJP worker in deep worry. This situation also raises a big question on the BJP organization and the government's worker respect policy.