TV serial on Ranjit Singh not a Congress bounty: Raj Babbar

New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) Suspended Samajwadi Party MP Raj Babbar today rubbished the allegation that Doordarshan had commissioned a 104-episode serial to him on the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the behest of the Congress for joining that party.

''I have been commissioned by DD to make a serial on Lion of Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh whom I hold in high esteem for his valour and sense of justice,'' said the cine actor-politician, who represents Agra in the Lok Sabha.

''But making serials is my lifeline. It is the question of my bread abd butter,'' he told mediapersons at the Press Club during his hour-long interface with them.

Mr Babbar, who has raised the banner of revolt against the SP top leadership for ''nurturing the broker culture'' in the party, also pointed out that the previous NDA government had commissioned him for making a TV serial on Kashmir.

About the serial on Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Agra MP said he had completed 20 out of the 104 episodes by spending Rs 3 crore from his own resources.

''I have not received a single penny so far from Doordarshan, which has put a clause in the contract that the serial must have at least a six per cent TRP. Otherwise, DD will wash its hands off the project,'' he pointed out.

Asked whether the SP leadership had terminated him from the party, Mr Babbar said it was not correct.

He said the SP has formed two committees, a Disciplinary Action Committee and another committee headed by Mohan Singh. ''They had planned to call me on February 16, but it had not be done so far,'' he said, adding that he continued to be a member of the SP.

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