Defiant Amar Singh not to quit RS seat

Moments after being expelled from Samajwadi Party, Amar Singh on Tuesday struck a defiant note ruling out quitting his Rajya Sabha seat and termed as baseless reports about his cosying up to Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

"I have earned the (Rajya Sabha) seat and not got this as alms. I will not quit the seat. Even Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP chief) had not asked me to do so when I had spoken to him a few days ago," Singh told mediapersons in New Delhi.

He was answering a specific question whether he will give up his Rajya Sabha seat after his expulsion from the party.

"I express my gratitude towards Mulayam Singh Yadav (for the expulsion). I will not say anything against him. I have great respect for him whether I am with the party or not," he said.

On reports of his warming up to Congress, NCP and BSP, he said, "I have had no discussion with anybody or any party, be it BSP, Congress or NCP or others."

"I had only emphathised with Mayawati (during a TV interview). She had a bitter experience with SP after withdrawing support from that party. Since I am also in a similar position now, I can understand her pain. She had also been a victim of SP," he said.

On why no action was taken by the SP against Jaya Bachchan, Singh said, "Jayaji has recently said that she is on my side given a choice between me and the party. Small fries like Mohan Singh (general secretary) cannot be compared to a person like her."

Image: Amar Singh