Advani welcome to join SP: Amar Singh

Lucknow, Jan 30: Amar Singh, General Secretary of Samajwadi Party on Thursday, Jan 29 defended the party's new friendship with former Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kalyan Singh. He even invited even BJP senior leader and prime ministerial candidate L K Advani to join SP, provided he apologised for Babri Masjid demolition.

"We would welcome even Lal Krishna Advani if he were to express regret over the demolition of the Babri Mosque," said Amar Singh. He was speaking a public rally in Gorakhpur kick-starting the poll campaign of local party nominee Manoj Tiwari. Tiwari is a popular Bhojpuri singer.

Amar Singh defended party decision to induct Kalyan Singh's son Rajbir and naming him national general secretary. He said that the move will not only strengthen, but also reduce the power of BJP in Uttar Pradesh. He also hailed Kalyan Singh as a force to reckon with. Kalyan Singh was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, when Babri Masjid wad demolished in 1992. He quit BJP, claiming ill-treatment this month.

He criticised the Muslim MP's of Samajwadi Party, Saleem Sherwani and Shafiqur Rehman Bruke who opposed the deal with Kalyan Singh. "Where were these people when Kalyan Singh's son was holding a cabinet minister's chair in the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in 2005?, asked Amar Singh.

Amar Singh known for his outspoken attitude said that Kalyan Singh is not going to offer apologies to anyone. "And let me make it clear that Kalyan Singh is not going to offer apologies to anyone," he added though without context. Soon after his statement the dias suddenly caved in. But no one was hurt.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)