Expelled,Amar says ‘liberated’

In New Delhi,Amar Singh said: “I express my gratitude to Mulayam Singh Yadav (for the expulsion). I will not say anything against him… I am blessed by him… this is a blessing in disguise… he has liberated me,I am relieved now.”

But he made it clear he was not going to resign from Rajya Sabha. “I have earned the seat. I did not get this as alms. I will not quit the seat… I have formed the Lok Manch and will work for the poor and unemployed by spreading awareness about computers and English.”

Denying reports that he was tapping parties like the Congress,BSP and NCP,Amar Singh said: “I am not going anywhere to seek admission or give an application. I am not a child seeking admission in nursery. Politics is a game of being relevant.”

(In an interview to PTI,Amar Singh said: “I did not make any deal but only asked for one favour from the UPA government and that was the exoneration of Mulayam Singh Yadav from the disproportionate assets case.”) He said he would continue his mass-contact programme with the most backward classes and Kshatriyas and also touch base with parties championing minority issues,like the Ulema Council and Peace Party of eastern UP.

“I will be meeting the chief of Peace Party in the next few days. Minorities in the state know that siding with SP will not get them a Muslim Chief Minister. With me,they are certain that I don’t harbour such ambitions and will help their cause,” he said.

In Lucknow,Mohan Singh said: “Amar Singh dented the unity and image of the party. His entry into the party was a capitalist and communal intrusion intended to damage the socialist movement. Before the disease spread further,the party decided to go for painful surgery.”

He called Jaya Prada a “guided missile” of Amar Singh and said she had made “intemperate remarks” against the SP leadership and policies. “She also praised Kalyan Singh which cast a shadow on the secular credentials of the party. No party will allow such activity by any leader,howsoever important,” he said.

Asked about the future of Sanjay Dutt,another general secretary who quit his post to express solidarity with Amar Singh,Mohan Singh said “the party does not take any cognisance of him”. On Maharashtra SP leader Abu Azmi,he said: “Azmi has made a categorical statement that he will remain with the party.”

On Jaya Bachchan,he said so far she had not done anything which amounted to anti-party activity. Asked about Amar Singh’s challenge to Akhilesh Yadav to vacate the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat and contest elections against him,Mohan Singh said Amar Singh had never faced voters.

I have formed the Lok Manch,will work for the poor and unemployed… spread awareness about computers and English
Amar Singh,Expelled from SP