BJP welcomes Rajnath's response on dynastic allegations, taunts UPA

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday welcomed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's remark that he was ready to quit politics if the allegations against him and his family are found to be true, saying that the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre does not allow rumour mongering and makes sure that there is no kind of suspicion among the people.

Taking a jibe at the former UPA regime, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "This is the difference between this government and the previous government. The previous government chose not to even speak about issues of importance, on issues of facts."

"But this government has seen to it that by its communication ability it does not allow rumour mongering because we firmly believe that we have to answer the people, we have to see to it that people have no kind of suspiciousness about the functioning of this government and our only agenda is development and rumours occasionally form a huddle in development as well," he added.

The Union Home Minister earlier in the day denied reports about him and his family seeking political favours and said that he will quit politics if these allegations are found to be true.

"For the last fifteen to twenty days, there have been a lot of baseless rumours circulating. I thought I should not bother with it because rumours have no basis and they will die soon, but I have seen that the rumours are just growing. I want to assure the nation that the day any charges are proved against me or any member of my family, I will quit politics that day and sit at home," Singh said.

"I have even talked to the Prime Minister, who too has expressed his incredulity at my predicament," he added.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has in a statement rejected suggestions of alleged misconduct by Pankaj Singh, the son of Rajnath Singh.

"This has reference to reports appearing in a section of the media over the past several weeks, mentioning the Prime Minister, and referring to the conduct of some Union Ministers, and alleged misconduct of the Home Minister's son. The reports are plain lies, motivated and constitute a malicious attempt at character assassination and tarnishing the image of the government," said a statement issued by the PMO.

"Those indulging in such rumour-mongering are damaging the interest of the nation. These reports are strongly denied," the statement further read.

Rajnath is upset after reports in the media claimed that the BJP reportedly overlooked Pankaj, who was seen as a frontrunner for the Noida seat in the Uttar Pradesh bye-polls. There was also a report that the latter had approached the party leadership to guarantee him a seat to contest in 2017 assembly elections.