Will Amar float a Thakur party?

Sources say former SP leader will announce the new party before January 27, his birthday. Singh's younger brother says he will join the new outfitu00a0u00a0

In a fresh twist to the political drama triggered by Amar Singh's resignation from the Samajwadi Party (SP), power corridors in Uttar Pradesh are rife with the rumours that the former SP general secretary is likely to launch a separate political party in the state. And if sources are to be believed, the announcement of the new party may come before Singh's birthday on January 27.

'No entry into Congress'
Sources close to Singh say he has been given the cold shoulder by the Congress Party, whose leaders he had approached for an entry ticket. "He does not have much option. He dislikes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Though he has got positive vibes from Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), it is unlikely he would get a position of power in the party. So there is a very strong possibility that he will launch his own party," said a political leader close to Singh.

Brother says he will
Singh's younger brother Arvind Singh, who has been at loggerheads with his elder sibling for a long time, has now reportedly moved closer to him. Arvind had gone to Singapore for a week last year when Amar Singh had a kidney transplant. Amar Singh's illness reportedly brought the two brothers together.

Talking to MiD DAY, Arvind Singh said, "Amar Singh's political stature is very high. It is unlikely he will fit into any prominent national political party. I feel he will launch his own party as Rajputs in Uttar Pradesh are insisting him to do so. I am also likely to join Amar Singh in his new political outfit." However, one of his close aides said chances of Singh joining the Congress are still there and it is too early to cement Singh's new party theory.

Thakur favourite
According to sources, Singh has been approached by several Rajput leaders (the community is popularly known as Thakurs in Uttar Pradesh) to set up a new party, as they feel politically alienated. "There is no prominent Rajput leader in UP except Rajnath Singh. After the death of former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar, the position has been vacant. Rajputs are disappointed with Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati.

In view of the large Rajput population, especially in eastern UP, forming a new party is a necessity," said a SP leader, wishing anonymity. The leader said many like him are keeping an eye on Singh's next move. He claimed Singh had the support of not less than five Parliamentarians and about 20 MLAs.

Sources say Jaya Prada, Jaya Bachchan and Manoj Tiwari may support Amar Singh's Rajput party. Sanjay Dutt is already supporting him.