Absent BJP MP says he was in ICU, but still supports UPA

Rathod, who was among the several BJP MPs who had defied the whip, said the doors of the Congress and the NCP were open to him in case the BJP takes action against him.

Giving his version on the absence, he said “I came back from Parliament yesterday at around one pm to take my diabetes injection. Unfortunately, the cook at home had not prepared any lunch and hence a friend of mine suggested a nearby eatery joint.

“Suddenly, on the way my sugar level dropped because of which I became drowsy and was rushed to Kukreja Hospital in Rajouri Garden (about 15 km from Parliament). I was in the ICU and was finally discharged at around nine in the evening. My phones were switched off and no one was allowed in the ICU. I was under tension since I had not made up my mind about the vote. It is nice that the government has won and I would have also voted for the government only,” he said.

The MP who is said to be close to senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde said he and many others were unhappy with BJP for “sidelining” Munde.

Rathod denied he had taken any money from the ruling coalition to be absent. “Anyone can say anything. If you have proof bring it out. Money is not important for me. I am happy the way I am.”

Rathod said “Gopinath Munde is being sidelined in the party. I have deep respect for him. If such a thing can happen to him, what about people like us.”

Claiming that both the Congress and NCP doors were open to him, he said “for me party is not important. Anyone who supports my cause of getting reservation for denotified and nomadic tribes is important.