Contrary to his firebrand image, disgraced Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik on Monday almost prostrated before the BJP leadership by asking them to reconsider their decision to not induct him into the party.
At a press conference here, Muthalik termed the decision of the BJP national leadership to shut the party’s doors on him a hasty one and urged the BJP to reconsider it.
“I will wait till 11 am tomorrow (on Tuesday). If they (BJP leaders) don’t reconsider, then I will spell out my next course of action after consulting my followers tomorrow,” an emotional Muthalik told reporters, while expressing confidence in the state BJP leaders.
Throughout the press conference, Muthalik seemed to be in a state of confusion as he kept on firing salvos at BJP leaders and at the same time kept on insisting he should be taken into the party.
“I have sacrificed my entire life for the cause of Hindutva. Despite this, I am being humiliated. Why are you (BJP) treating me like this? What mistake have I committed,” a sobbing Muthalik asked.
The Sri Ram Sene chief said it was the BJP and RSS leaders who persuaded him to join the party.
However, he expressed confidence in state BJP leadership stating that they would impress upon the national leaders to take him back into the party.
‘Anti-women Activities Forced Muthalik Out’
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Goa on Monday Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik’s entry into the party was stalled because of his alleged “anti women and violent activities”.
“The BJP’s local Karnataka unit committed the mistake due to some localised reasons, but the party corrected it (mistake),” Parrikar told reporters while responding to a question in Panaji on Monday.
He said the feedback was given by several leaders claiming that since the party was vibrant and democratic and believed in principles of progressive policies, such kind of people should not be allowed. “That was the reason why his party membership was rejected,” the senior BJP leader said.
“Even I had told the party leadership that we have no space for people who are known more for anti-women and violent activities,” Parrikar added.Former Congress-led Goa Government had banned entry of Sri Ram Sene in the state, while Parrikar, after taking charge, had claimed that he would not like such kind of people to start their activities in the state.
Meanwhile, the Congress claimed that the BJP’s stand of not allowing Muthalik was “merely an eyewash”.
“Muthalik was not admitted at the behest of some state leaders. Person of such stature usually joins only after national leadership gives its nod,” Congress Goa spokesman Sunil Kawthankar told reporters here. Kawthankar claimed that Muthalik would join the BJP if the party came to power.