Arrested worker planted in BJP to target netas

Mangaluru: Following the arrest of Tasleem, a BJP worker by Delhi Police, BJP leaders have expressed doubts if he was planted in the party to target saffron outfit leaders.

Tasleem was arrested by Delhi Police last week on charges of criminal conspiracy. Though there was no clear statement from the police on who his target was, it is said that he was targeting some Hindu leaders of Dakshina Kannada district including Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. About a week ago, Mr Bhat was provided extra police cover and few Hindu outfit leaders were also asked to be on the alert.

BJP leaders realized that Tasleem was active in the party after his photo with party leaders including Rahim Uchil went viral on social media. On Wednesday, a video of Tasleem praising PM Modi too was making the rounds on social media.

Expressing concern, BJP spokesperson Harikrishna Bantwal alleged that Tasleem might have joined the party to attack BJP and Hindu leaders. "It is easy for an insider to attack party or Sangh leaders. Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat is a strong Hindu leader working for the community in the coastal region. Some extremist forces feel Mr Bhat is a hurdle for them. He (Tasleem) might have joined BJP to project himself as an insider and target Hindu leaders," Harikrishna told Deccan Chronicle. 

Rahim Uchil said he had met Tasleem about four years ago at a meeting for the formation of the Kasargod district BJP minority morcha. " Tasleem was very active in expressing concern about the allegations made against the BJP on issues like Ayodhya and the post Godhra violence. 

However I felt he lacked good knowledge and communication skills to be an office bearer and so when his name was suggested for the post of secretary, I opposed it. However since he did not have any case against him, he was given the party membership," Rahim said.

During the Kerala assembly election, Tasleem worked for the BJP in a door to door campaign. "I did not see him after the election. However about 5 months ago, I met him in a hotel. The photo which has gone viral was clicked at this hotel," he said.

Rahim feels he too might have been in the target list of Tasleem and wanted the police to hold a probe. According to sources Tasleem's name was also making rounds in the murder case of Kalia Rafiq in 2017. Police were probing him in this case too.