Sinha gets the boot for criticising Advani

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha was today removed from the post of Baharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson by party president LK Advani. This was announced by BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley.

"The president has decided to reconstitute the panel of spokespersons. Sushma Swaraj and I will be spokespersons and Manvendra Singh and Prakash Javadekar will be additional spokespersons," said Jaitley.

Though no reason was given for his removal from the post, Sinha has been removed, supposedly for his criticism of Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda and his government for profligacy with public funds.

Earlier, Sinha had also committed a strategic error by criticising Advani for Jinnah comments.

According to a BJP leader, Sinha's removal became important since "one cannot be the spokesperson and criticise a government led by your own party".

Sources also said Sinha was also exploring options outside the BJP, since he felt that the return of Advani as party president would hamper his political growth.

He has reportedly been in touch with not just the Sharad Pawar-led NCP but also with Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party.

"Sinha is currently in Mumbai and he met with SP general secretary Amar Singh there. The party is looking for someone who will head the till-now invisible SP in Jharkhand," said a senior party leader.

When Business Standard contacted Sinha, he confirmed he had been aware that he would be removed from the post of party spokesperson and claimed that he was not worried about the matter. "I know about it (his removal)," he said.

He refused to say anything on the reasons behind his removal, or about the speculation that he was leaving the BJP. Sinha will retain his Rajya Sabha seat and his membership of the BJP national executive. But the removal from his post may prompt him to hasten his departure from the party.