RSP leader rubbishes reports of quitting from Council membership

Mumbai: Reacting on reports of quitting from the Legislative Council, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) leader Mahadev Jankar, an ally of the BJP-Sena in Maharashtra on Friday said the saffron combine should not "test his patience beyond a limit".

Scotching speculations that he had quit his membership of Legislative Council due to delay in expansion in Council of Ministers as well as appointments to various state government boards and corporations, Jankar said he was a mass leader without a cadre.

"I am working to strengthen the cadre of my party and not in the business of blackmail for positions of power. I supported the BJP-Sena to defeat the Congress-NCP government. I am aware that my support was not needed. After all, in a democracy, head count matters. I have only one MLA in the 288 member Legislative Assembly," he said.

Jankar said when he decides to resign, he would announce it at a rally in Mumbai.

"There has been agrarian crisis due to deficient rainfall and rising number of farmers suicides. I have addressed farmer rallies in Washim, Akola, Yavatmal, Wardha and Amravati in the last few days and urged farmers not to commit suicide," he said.

Meanwhile, State BJP President Raosaheb Danve clearing the air, said he had spoken to Jankar and he had not resigned as MLC.