If it's Ramgopal vs Amar Singh, Ramgopal should have been there: Abu Azmi

Sacked Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Ramgopal Yadav is "disheartened" by the allegations that "he has joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)", said Abu Azmi after meeting him here on Sunday, adding that several people left the party because of Amar Singh.

When asked whether Ramgopal was sacked due to Amar Singh, he said, "If this is due to Amar Singh versus Ramgopalji, then Ramgopalji is a sorted man. There are several people who left the party because of Amar Singh. Raj Babbar, Rama Kant Yadav and many more have expelled and left the party because of him, and thus, Netaji needs to rethink about Ramgopalji rather than thinking about Amar Singh."

"Ramgopalji is being insulted. I met Ramgopalji; he told me that he has written a letter that he did not want to talk to the media. He would not speak to the media as whatever he wanted to express had expressed in his two letters," he told reporter outside Hotel Holiday Inn here.

"He told me what he had written in the letter; apart from that he did not say anything," said Azami.

"Ramgopal Yadav has come here for a parliamentary committee meeting and he will be returning to Delhi tomorrow evening," Azmi added

"The party is strong; there are some problems that will be solved soon, "said Azmi.

Earlier, in a letter, Ramgopal Yadav stated that he was not sad by expulsion, but was hurt by the false allegations levelled against him by state party president Shivpal Yadav.

Defending himself, he said it is not a crime to meet leaders from any other political party in a democracy.

"Whether I am in the Samajwadi Party or not, I will continue to extend my support to Akhilesh Yadav till he becomes Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Commenting on party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said Mulayam Singh is not just his elder brother but also a political 'guru' who is currently surrounded by evil powers.

Earlier today, Samajwadi Party state president Shivapal Yadav expelled Ramgopal from his position and the party for next six years while accusing him of being part of a conspiracy against the party.

"Ramgopal is involved with the BJP; he met BJP leaders thrice in the last few days. He is doing such things because his son Akshay Yadav and daughter-in-law are involved in a scam. To protect himself and his son they are planning conspiracy as per the direction of BJP," Shivpal told a press conference here.

He said that Ramgopal is making the party weak, adding that Akhilesh is not understanding the facts that who is with him and who is against him.

Earlier today, Akhilesh in an unexpected move sacked four ministers, including his uncle Shivpal, from the Cabinet.