BJP chief lunches with washerman’s family

Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service 

Dehradun, September 20 

BJP president Amit Shah today had lunch with the family of Muney Singh, a washerman, on the last day of his two-day visit to Dehradun. 

He was accompanied by Chief Minister TS Rawat and other senior BJP leaders. Muney Singh’s house is located a few kilometres away from the state BJP headquarters. 

The lunch comprising dal, chawal, puri, mixed vegetable chutney and salad was prepared by Muney Singh’s wife and daughter. The leaders sat on sheets spread on the floor in the verandah of the house. 

Speaking to The Tribune, Muney Singh said, “I am delighted to host the BJP leader. It is my privilege to serve him,” he said.

Muney Singh is a father of three daughters and two sons. His son Kartik could not contain his excitement and was seen running errands for his mother. 

“We have prepared a special chutney and kheer. I am sure he will like it,” said Kartik. A little nervous, Muney Singh’s wife Saroj Devi was at her wits end as she went about taking out her best luncheon set for the occasion. “This is my best ware, I will serve kheer and the main dishes in these bowls,” she said.

Saroj Devi was also seen being assisted by BJP women leaders. Until Friday, the name of Moti Ram, an RSS worker, was doing the rounds, as senior BJP leaders went scouting for a household belonging to a Dalit or economically weaker section of society. However, Moti Ram, who is working with BSNL, did not fit the bill. 

“We decided to reveal the name at the last minute, as the entire activity was inviting media’s attention,” said Rajpur MLA Khazan Das.        

However, the entire selection exercise did not go down well within the BJP as questions were raised about Muney Singh’s allegiance to the party.