BJP rebels to launch regional party in Delhi

New

, Jul 8: A

rebel, who was denied ticket in the April municipal polls, is launching a "Delhi-based regional party" roping in disgruntled former councillors and leaders, claiming that national parties have failed to address problems of the capital.

Christened 'Progressive Party', BJP rebel Jagdish Mamgan claimed it is the first regional party of the capital and it will be launched this Thursday at a function here which will be attended by former councillors and local leaders who are unhappy with BJP and Congress.

"Delhi is mini-India. But Congress and BJP promote only people from certain community to the leadership. So if you have a person from a particular community is the party chief, then administrative head will be from the other community.

"Those who come from outside Delhi have no chance. At the same time, the national parties neglect the capital and they have their compulsions. This shows the necessity for a regional party," Mamgain, who was in BJP for 31 years, said.

However, he said, it is not an easy job to get a foothold in Delhi politics and they were thinking on long term. "Mamata Banerjee took 20 years to get a foothold in West Bengal. Same is the case with Mulayam Singh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh. We are not here for short term gains," he said.

He alleged BJP, from which he resigned in April after he was denied ticket to contest the municipal polls, had been demanding full statehood to Delhi but when it was in power in the centre, it did not do anything. Same is the case with Congress, he added.

"They may have their compulsions. But that is not helping Delhiites. What is best for the capital is a regional party," he claimed.

Asked how the idea of a new party cropped up, he said he was in touch with 22 candidates who lost the municipal polls despite an impressive performance and they decided to launch a common platform.

PTI