Expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh found an ardent supporter in former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today when the latter praised his book on Pakistan-founder M A Jinnah and also appeared to reprimand the party for asking him to quit PAC chairman's post.
"The way Jaswant was treated was not good. After reading his book, there is a need to praise him...If Jaswant Singh's book is read carefully, (one would find that) it is worth praising," Shekhawat told reporters soon after his meeting with Singh.
"There is a fall in standards in the party. Indiscipline has increased. According to the people, Jaswant should be with the party and I am with the people," Shekhawat added.
Singh called on the former BJP leader here.
"I have known him since 1966. I came to enquire about his health," he said after meeting 86-year-old Shekhawat.
Shekhawat expressed his unhappiness over the state of affairs in BJP, which has seen internal squabbles and tussle for leadership after the Lok Sabha poll debacle.
When Singh was asked about BJP's argument that as per convention the post of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should remain with the main opposition, Shekhawat intervened and answered on his behalf, saying, "BJP leaders should respect Parliamentary conventions and ethics."
On the problems afflicting BJP, Shekhawat said, "Mutual trust among BJP leaders is decreasing and because of this, there are fissures in the party."
He said if BJP sought his advice, he will definitely provide it. "I don't give unsolicited advice."
Singh also extended an invitation to Shekhawat to attend a rally he is organising in Rajasthan on September 22 and the latter gave a nod to it.
Both Singh and Shekhawat have a common political foe in former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
Shekhwat was in the news before the Lok Sabha polls when he threw a virtual challenge to BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani, saying he was more eligible for the post due to his seniority.
He had also accused Raje of corruption and held her responsible for BJP's loss in the assembly polls in the state late last year.
