Amit Shah as BJP chief sets "wrong precedent": AAP

The AAP today termed the appointment of Amit Shah as BJP President as a "wrong precedent for the country's democracy" and said the ruling party had lowered the "minimum moral qualification" required for leaders to head political parties.
"The appointment of Amit Shah to the post of BJP national president was a wrong precedent for the country's democracy, which should have been avoided by the ruling party.
"By appointing Shah as its chief, BJP has lowered the minimum moral qualification required for leaders to head major political parties in the country. It is difficult to recall any other example in which a leader who faced serious criminal charges including murder, extortion and kidnapping was anointed as chief of a national political party," the party said in a statement.

The party also said it viewed the development as a "sad day for democracy".
"It is not hidden from anyone that Shah is currently out on bail since he faces serious charges in connection with fake encounters of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi and and an eyewitness in the case, Tulsiram Prajapati."
"The argument that the appointment of Shah as BJP President is an internal matter of that party does not hold ground since this development will have multiple implications on the political system of the country," AAP said in a statement.

The party also slammed BJP saying Modi had emphasised on deciding on cases of MPs facing criminal charges within a year.

"Modi had stressed on deciding cases of MPs facing criminal charges within a year to free this important institution of democracy from criminals.
"Now by appointing an individual who is facing trial in cases of murder, conspiracy, extortion, kidnapping, destruction of evidence and wrongful confinement, as party president - are Modi and BJP indicating that office-bearers of political parties enjoy immunity from criminalisation of politics?" the statement said.