Vyapam: Kailash Vijayvargiya backs former minister Laxmikant Sharma

Immediately after his release, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya declared Sharma innocent.

He also tweeted late Saturday in support of Sharma. One described the accused as friend and another said “truth can be harassed not defeated”.

The BJP had reportedly issued instructions that party flags should not be seen outside the jail premises, where hundreds of Sharma’s supporters had gathered to welcome him, and on way to Sironj, Sharma’s hometown in Vidisha district.

After he stepped out of the jail, Sharma, who headed the technical and higher education department and culture department, said he had no complaints. He said he spent his days in jail like an ordinary prisoner and devoted time to religious things. He said he had full faith in judiciary.

Sharma, who lost the last Assembly election by a slender margin, giving rise to speculation about possible sabotage, was once a powerful minister.

Several statements were attributed to him when he was in jail, suggesting that once he came out, he would “expose” others in the party and the government.

On Sunday, he claimed he did not commit any wrong and said he would devote his energy to social work. He refused to answer queries on his political rehabilitation.