I never took drugs; BJP like a family: Rahul Mahajan

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) Claiming that he was innocent of all charges of drug abuse, Rahul Mahajan today said a section of the people had a ''hidden agenda'' to defame him but denied feeling let down by the BJP which is ''like family to me where where I was born, brought up and would die''.

Speaking to the media for the first time after his seven-day incarceration, Rahul said he was ''not a drug dependent or user'' and would clear his name of all charges soon.

''I can assure everyone that I have not committed any legal or moral wrong,'' said Rahul while apologising to his mother, family members and well wishers for the pain caused.

To a specific query, Rahul also said he never took drugs but added that, ''...there may be a section of the society who may have some hidden agenda for which I sincerely have no answer.'' Stating that out of jail, he was in a better position to defend himself against the allegations, Rahul, who was flanked by three lawyers at his late father Pramod Mahajan's official residence here, told the media that his ''conscience was clear and his heart clean and pure''.

Earlier on June 8, while coming out of the RML Hospital where he had been taken for a check-up, Rahul had told the media, ''I am innocent and I have taken no drugs.'' Refuting claims that the BJP did not support him to the extent he or his family expected, especially in the context of some remarks made on the incident by some of its leaders, he said, ''The BJP did not let me down. Everyone in the party gave me affection and support.'' ''The party is like family to me where I was born, brought up and will die,'' he added, while dismissing reports that prior to the alleged drug abuse incident, he had been offered a post in the BJP.

On his future course of action, he said, ''First I will clear my name of all the charges and remove the blot on my name and then decide on my future course of action which would make my father feel proud wherever he is.'' Describing the last few weeks as a ''sad phase of life'' for his family, the Rahul said he was thankful to all those who stood by him during the hour of crisis and specially to the ''impartial and ndependent judiciary''.

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