State JD vice president quits from post

MUMBAI, JULY 27: In another major blow to the State Janata Dal unit, its vice president Lalit Babar has resigned from his post and primary membership of the party. It was only last week, that JD general secretary Dr Mohammed Nadim had resigned protesting “politics sans ideals” by JD national leaders.

Babar, in his resignation letter to JD president Nihal Ahmed, has strongly condemned the party leadership for joining hands with Sharad Pawar. “The decision of going with Sharad Pawar is against the party’s fight with leaders like him for the last several years. Senior JD leaders were of the opinion that it was the rivalry between Pawar and the then chief minister Sudhakar Naik that led to the 1992-93 communal riots in Mumbai. Sadly, though the leaders have conveniently forgotten the opinion, the grass root activists can not forget the same,” reads Babar’s letter.

Babar has also criticised NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Valse-Patil. “Bhujbal dared to purify the Hutatma Chowk after a morcha held by Dalits when he was Mayor of Mumbai. I have with me affidavits filed by Dalits from Ambegaon in Pune accusing Valse-Patil of fraudulently purchasing land. How can JD leaders get so close to such people?” he added.

Babar is known for JD’s growth among Dalits, especially in the rural areas. Knowing his importance in the party, senior JD leaders are pursuing Babar to withdraw the resignation. However, Babar, with some more leaders from Solapur, Beed and Aurangabad, are reportedly leaving JD to join the Congress party.