Jammu
Amid allegations that veteran party leaders have been sidelined by a coterie in the BJP, the expelled leader and former MLA from the RS Pura sector, Gagan Bhagat, on Wednesday levelled serious accusations on state president Ravinder Raina and general secretary Ashok Koul.

Bhagat, who was expelled from the BJP on Monday, alleged that Ashok Koul had virtually hijacked the BJP and was pursuing his petty personal agenda. “Senior leaders are only showpieces because all important decisions from collecting funds to appointing ministers were taken by Ashok Koul when the party was in power along with the PDP,” he said and alleged that a huge amount was charged to appoint ministers.

“Instead of delegating powers to senior leaders, Ashok Koul in connivance with state president Ravinder Raina has controlled the funds of the party,” he alleged and added that a majority of the leaders were feeling suffocated and neglected as Koul-Raina duo never consulted anyone before taking policy decisions.