Sabir Ali's membership cancelled by BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday cancelled the membership of former JD(U) MP Sabir Ali after objections from senior leaders within the party. The induction of Ali, who had hopped from LJP to RJD and to JD(U) from which he was expelled for his remarks praising Narendra Modi, provoked Naqvi to make a mocking statement whether Dawood Ibrahim would be the next entrant.

BJP spokesperson, Ravi Shankar Prasad said senior leaders have been requested to express their feelings about party decisions within the party and not in the media.

Earlier in the day, Sabir Ali asked the party to put his induction on hold following strong objections from within and the RSS.

"I have written a letter to Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP general secretary) to keep my membership on hold," Ali, who was attacked by senior leader Mukhtar Naqvi as terrorist Yasin Bhatkal's friend that set off a storm over admitting him into the party yesterday, said.

As more leaders including MP Balbir Punj backed Naqvi's objection, the RSS also joined the criticism, saying Ali's admission has caused great resentment.

"Sabir Ali's induction has caused great resentment. Party leadership has been apprised of d strong views of d cadre n people agnst it," RSS national spokesperson Ram Madhav tweeted today.

Ali challenged Naqvi to prove the allegations, saying he has not even seen Bhaktal in his dreams, but came to know only through newspapers.