In a major embarrassment, the BJP today made a hasty retreat, the second in a week, when it annulled the membership of controversial JD(U) leader Sabir Ali, in less than 24 hours of his induction following intense opposition from within and the RSS.
"BJP President Rajnath Singh has decided that the membership of Sabir Ali stands annulled," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference after the RSS and more leaders from within lent their voice against his admission.
He said the BJP chief took the decision after taking note of the public comments made by some party leaders but asked them to raise matters concerning decisions within the party forum and not go public, following the open criticism of the decision by Naqvi and others.
"Taking note of some comments of BJP leaders coming out in public domain, Rajnath Singh has also asked partymen to air their views on party decisions at the party forum only," he said.
Ali had today morning written to BJP general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan, also incharge of party affairs in Bihar, that in view of the allegations levelled against him his membership be kept on hold.
BJP Vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had yesterday attacked Sabir Ali as a friend of terrorist Yasin Bhatkal and strongly opposed his entry into the party, terming it a "mistake" that needs to be rectified.
Expressed satisfaction over the development, Naqvi removed his tweet on Ali saying the matter is closed for him now.
But not all in the BJP seem to be unhappy over Ali's induction.