VHP wants Modi to free Sadhvi Pragya Singh

VHP sources said they have already conveyed their demand over the matter to the party’s central leadership and wants its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to take ‘special interest’ in the case. ‘Her arrest was a conspiracy and planted by the agencies. It was done to serve the political interest of the Congress. We want her release if the BJP forms the government,’ the source said.

They alleged that probe agencies are working on the pressures of the Congress party and they believe that she should be released. The BJP leaders are now trying to figure out how to deal with such ‘internal issues’ once they are voted to power.

Parishad leader Ashok Singhal often claims that BJP’s prime ministerial candidate is their creation. Sources in the BJP headquarters are concerned that the real challenge before Modi would be to manage his own party colleagues and leaders of VHP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on a day-to-day basis.

‘Modi ji will never entertain such demands that will hamper the larger image of the party. After staying so many years out of power, leaders close to Modi will not interfere in sensitive cases irrespective of pressure from a few VHP leaders,’ a senior BJP leader said.

Sadhvi Pragya was arrested on 29 September 2008 in connection with three bomb explosions in Gujarat and Maharashtra which killed eight persons and injuring 80. 

During investigations in Maharashtra, there were allegations of involvement of a Hindu group in the blasts and name of Sadhvi Pragya cropped up.

Recently, the Bombay High Court has refused to grant bail to Sadhvi Pragya on the grounds that a strong prima facie case against the accused exists on the basis of the material on record, which is sufficient to deny her bail.

She is charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the MCOCA.