BJP MPs were asked to use the media, social media and personal interactions with constituents to confront the opposition for its alleged bid to implicate Shah in the case.
New Delhi: Minutes after Thursday’s Supreme Court verdict in the B.H. Loya case, the BJP launched a nationwide campaign, involving the media, social media and personal interactions, to seek an apology for insinuations made against party chief Amit Shah.
A directive in this regard was issued to party MPs immediately after the Supreme Court rejected pleas for an independent probe into the allegedly mysterious death of CBI judge Loya in 2014. At the time, Loya was hearing the case involving the alleged fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, in which Shah was an accused. The BJP chief has since been exonerated.
BJP MPs were asked by the party to defend Shah through different media, as also by reaching out to their constituents, and confront the opposition for its alleged bid to implicate him in the case. A blueprint for the statements to be made, including the content of the SMS, was also drafted by the party and circulated among the MPs.
“Every MP should immediately give a byte to local TV channels asking (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi to apologise for defaming Amit Shah in the justice Loya death case,” the party’s letter read.
“Issue a press statement (the draft is being sent by email), hold a press conference by discussing with lawyers and with perfect understanding of the judgment, retweet the tweets by central BJP leaders on this issue.
“Tweet in local language… Use all social media platforms — WhatsApp, SMS (sic),” it added.
The draft SMS text circulated among BJP MPs:
“Supreme Court has dismissed a malicious PIL in the case of death of justice B.H. Loya.
· Court today (19-04-2018) has observed that it was a natural cause of death of justice Loya and no independent inquiry is required.
· Court also observed that it is misuse of PIL for personal agenda and petition amounts to criminal contempt.
· Congress did everything to malign the image of BJP national president Sri Amit Shah over the years.
· In the natural death of justice Loya, Congress took MP’s delegation to honourable President.
· Today Congress stands exposed badly. As Congress cannot defeat BJP, it has resorted to worst tactics which have repelled on Congress by this judgment. (Sic)
· Congress president Rahul Gandhi must apologise.”
(The SMSes are exact reproductions)