India – The move of retired judge Ravinder Reddy, who acquitted rightwing activists in the Macca Masjid bomb blasts, to join the BJP has come in for sharp criticism,
The BJP leadership, which was said to have given the nod for his induction, gave him a surprise by asking him to wait when he reached the BJP office along with his supporters to join the party.
Shocking by the communication from the office of former minister Bandaru Dattatreya asking him to wait, Mr Ravinder Reddy said he had spoken to BJP chief Amit Shah a few days ago who had welcomed his decision to join the party. He said he was not aware of the circumstances under which the party asked him to wait. He said Mr Dattatreya and BJP leaders had visited his house and invited him to join the party.
“I like the BJP because is it a patriotic party, with no family rule. It is a party committed to national integration and to check anti-nationals,” he said. Mr Ravinder Reddy wants to contest from Husnabad in Karimnagar or from any seat in Hyderabad.
Mr Ravinder Reddy made headlines with his resignation as judge on April 16 after delivering the verdict in the Macca Masjid bomb case acquitting Swami Aseemanand and others on grounds that the prosecution could not prove its charges against them.
MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted on Friday, “Yes Retired Judge saheb we knew where you where heading & certainly you will be rewarded by Supreme Leader & Aseemanand & Co will campaign for you ,I hope you loose your deposit (sic).”
