Muthalik sets deadline for BJP to take him back

Sriram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik, who was inducted into the BJP on Sunday and his membership cancelled within hours, has set a deadline for the party to reconsider its decision.

“The BJP leaders have to reconsider their decision of cancelling my primary membership by 11 am on Tuesday,” said a disgruntled Muthalik.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, he said:  “Cancelling my primary membership within hours after inducting me into the BJP shows that this was a conspiracy hatched to tarnish my image.” The BJP central leadership should direct the State unit to take him back, failing which the BJP would face political consequences in the coming days, he warned.

“The BJP has given membership to tainted leaders and to those who watched porn in the Assembly. However, it has cancelled the membership of a person who fought for Hindutva,” he decried. To a query, Muthalik said the Sriram Sene had apologised for the pub attack. Hence, there was no reason for the BJP to cancel his membership, he said.

He said, he would hold a meeting with Sriram Sene workers on Tuesday, so that he can contest as an Independent candidate from Dharwad, if the BJP does not reconsider its decision.