Will quit politics if allegations proved: Sabir Ali

Sabir Ali, Janata Dal-United leader expelled from the party, Saturday defended himself and said if a single allegation against him is proved, he would quit politics.

Sabir Ali said this after Bharatiya Janata Party leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Friday stirred a debate in the party by expressing his dissent against the BJP admitting the expelled JD-U leader in its ranks.

"Terrorist Bhatakal friend joins BJP...soon accepting Dawood..." Naqvi tweeted.

There have been allegations on social media sites that Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yaseen Bhatkal was arrested from Sabir Ali's house. Police or the home ministry have, however, not given any such information officially.

Speaking to a news channel, Sabir Ali said: "If a single evidence is proven against me, I will quit politics." He added the BJP can set up a committee and hold an inquiry to investigate the allegation levelled against him.

Sabir Ali said he has written a letter to Naqvi denying the allegation levelled against him, and added that the BJP leader could also keep his BJP membership on hold.

The BJP has been a divided house over induction of new members, and allocation of party tickets to them to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Sri Ram Sene leader Pramod Muthalik was inducted into the BJP but the decision was reversed within five hours following protests from within the BJP.

Talking to a TV news channel, Naqvi said he "strongly protested" against the decision to induct Sabir Ali into the party.

"We are against terror and Naxalism, we must have zero tolerance against such people," the BJP leader said. "If we can kick out Muthalik because he is Hindu-vadi, we can correct this mistake... We are wellwishers of the party. How can we justify that a person who supported a terrorist is a member of the party?" he said.

The Janata Dal-United Monday expelled Sabir Ali, its Lok Sabha candidate from Bihar's Sheohar, after he praised BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Sabir Ali Friday joined the BJP and again praised Modi.