UNI

Hardwar, Jul 13: The Samajwadi party received a serious setback with the resignation of its national secretary and former state unit chief, Ram Singh Saini, from the primary membership of the party on Wednesday.

Saini was thrice elected to the Legislative Assembly from Roorkee and to the Legislative Council for two terms in the undivided state of Uttar Pradesh. He was a former Minister in UP Government and was also the leader of the Samajwadi group in the first State Assembly of Uttaranchal.

Saini told sources he resigned from the party as he and his supporters had constantly been ignored by the party and he felt suffocated in the party set up.

Asked about his future plans, Saini said ''I have talked to BSP supremo Mayawati who has asked the party co-ordinator for Uttaranchal, Ram Achal Rajbhar to hold further talks with me on the issue.'' He also informed that he had served the Congress in various capacities in the past and tried to re-join it but the party slammed its doors on him under the pressure of the local leaders.

He wields a considerable clout among the OBCs and minorities and his joining the BSP will be a shot in the latter's arm at a time when the state assembly elections are only a few months away.