By IANS
Mumbai : Former senior Congress leader in Maharashtra Sudhir Sawant threw his lot in with Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Saturday, nearly one and a half months after he quit his old party.
Sawant, who quit Congress in a huff Nov 17 last year, will be admitted to BSP as a senior state leader later.
Before quitting the Congress and his membership of state legislative council, the former All India Congress Committee secretary had questioned the style of functioning of state in-charge Margaret Alva.
Confirming the developments, Sawant told IANS Saturday that he would help coordinate BSP’s functioning in Maharashtra and prepare it for fighting the next state assembly elections, due by 2009.
When asked whether the BSP would go it alone or align with state parties, Sawant said this issue would be sorted out “at an appropriate time”.
Speaking about BSP’s priorities in the state, Sawant said minorities and Dalits look up to Mayawati and her party in a big way. “It will prove to be a potent political force since the masses have great faith and hope in Mayawati,” he said.
Sawant’s entry to the BSP will be attended by top central leaders of the party and state president Vilas Garud.
Following his outburst against Alva, disciplinary action was initiated against Sawant. Considered a staunch supporter of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Sawant had also questioned the constant rumours about the change in the state government leadership.
The former MP from Konkan region had accused Alva of humiliating and sidelining loyal Congressmen to the “dustbin” and sacking many party office-bearers around the state.
“The move to topple Deshmukh is being spearheaded by Alva who has criticised her own state government and is clearly working for vested interests,” Sawant had alleged in a strongly worded letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi nearly three months ago.
In the letter, Sawant reminded Gandhi how Alva had deserted the late prime minister Indira Gandhi during her most difficult times and “such leaders should be thrown out of the party”.