By IANS
Jaipur : It’s the proverbial storm but in a milk cup. And Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh is in the middle of it over allegations that guests at a feast hosted by him in Rajasthan’s Barmer district were offered saffron milk laced with opium. His party colleagues are denying this.
The feast known as ‘riyan’ in Jaswant Singh’s home in Jasol, Barmer, took place Wednesday and has already acquired a political hue.
According to tradition, saffron milk laced with opium is usually served in a riyan.
“I am not aware was opium served by Jaswant Singh or not. But it is our tradition to welcome guests by offering opium through the palm,” said a resident of Jasol on condition of anonymity.
Unconvinced, the opposition Congress has demanded an inquiry.
“The government should look into it. If opium was served then it becomes a serious matter as it is a crime under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,” said Congress’ K.C. Chaudhary.
The Vasundhara Raje government has been quiet but a faction of the ruling BJP feel that those close to the chief minister have been fanning the controversy.
BJP functionaries and ministers who attended the feast deny the charges.
“These charges are baseless. It is a controversy aimed at defaming us. We only had water mixed with kesar (saffron),” Mahaveer Prasad Jain, chief whip of the dissent-ridden BJP and a prominent anti-Raje voice.
Others who attended the party included state Education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari, Social Welfare Minister Madan Dilwar and MP Raghuveer Singh Kaushal.
Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria has said a probe would be conducted if a complained is received.