Amar is Mulayamwadi no more; will support English, comps, division of UP

?Janeshwar Mishra (SP ideologue) had once complained that I was not a socialist in true sense, to which I had responded that I was Mulayamwadi?but now, I will try not to be Mulayamwadi but will connect with the people through my constructive activities and old socialists like Raghu Thakur to become a true socialist,? Amar Singh said, while addressing journalists after his return to the Capital on Monday. His prot?g? in the party, Sanjay Dutt, who was also present, said he would not withdraw his resignation as SP general secretary. Dutt said that he would now become ?Amarwadi? .

Singh suggested he would launch a mass contact programme to reach out to the Kshatriya community along with other backward classes to gauge the public mood before contemplating his next move.

?So far I was busy with power politics here in the national capital, now I will try to connect with the ordinary people and grassroot workers?my doors will now always remain open for them,? Amar Singh said, outlining a slew of engagements over the next few months, included attending Kshatriya samaj rallies and participating in community gatherings of backward classes in Varanasi, Mathura, Ghazipur and Sultanpur.

Singh?s mass contact programme appears to be an attempt to test the waters before making his next move, which, if the slogans of his supporters are indication, could even be the floating of a new party.

Singh asked his supporters, in which he counted SP state legislators Sandeep Agarwal, Madan Chauhan, Sarvesh Singh and Ashok Chandel along with party MPs Jaya Prada and Jaya Bachchan, to remain patient for the time being.

Though he remains in the SP for the time being, his drift from the SP was obvious in his articulation of views contrary to the official SP line on issues like the division of Uttar Pradesh, the salience of the English language and the use of computers.

?I believe that even Lohia would not have opposed computers? I think we cannot emancipate the most backward communities without the help of English language and use of computers,? said Singh. The SP?s poll manifesto in the last general elections had come down against the increasing use of English and computers. He would make efforts to promote English and computers among the disadvantaged classes, said Singh.

Singh advocated the division of UP and said that he was ready to go on a fast to press for it. The SP has traditionally opposed division of the state.

?I was opposed to the division of UP as a committed soldier of the party. But, I think there is no scope for development of the people of UP unless Purvanchal, Bundelkhand and Harit Pradesh are carved out of the state?as an ordinary worker of the party, I would appeal to my party to not create obstacles in the path of division of the state,? said Singh.

?K Chandrasekhara Rao has given inspiration to us by fasting for Telangana? Creation of new states would also facilitate new leadership not drawn from a single family.?,he said.