BJP using Atal Bihari Vajpayee's name for electoral gains in 2019 polls: Karuna Shukla

New Delhi, Aug 23: A week after Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise, former MP Karuna Shukla on Thursday accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the name of former prime minister for political gains.

Karuna Shukla, niece of the late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has strongly objected to the BJP's efforts of using Vajpayee's name for political gains ahead of 2019 general elections.

"The way BJP is carrying around the country ashes of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it is a show off and for votes. Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh and his cabinet never remembered him until now especially when he had created the state," she said.

"As far as Raman and the Chhattisgarh BJP are concerned, they are selfish, and play power politics. By politicising Atal ji's death, they want to win the 2018 Assembly polls. But the public knows about their politics," she said in an interview to CNN-News18.

"If PM Modi and Amit Shah can walk for 5 km alongside Atal Bihari Vajpayee's casket then I request them to also walk at least 2 steps on his principles in real life too. People know their real face and will answer them via votes," she further said.

Karuna Shukla, previously was a part of BJP but is currently in the Congress. She is the Vice President of the Chhattisgarh Congress and has been a BJP MP from Janjgir in Chhattisgarh.

On Tuesday, the Chhattisgarh government decided to name Naya Raipur, the upcoming capital city of the state, as 'Atal Nagar' in Vajpayee's memory. During a cabinet meeting chaired by Singh, it also decided to name several other government institutions and projects after Vajpayee.

All state unit heads of the BJP have been assigned to carry out 'Asthi Kalash Yatra' in their respsective states to immerse the ashes in holy rivers.