Sanjay quits post, hurt by treatment to Amar Singh

Mumbai: Following his mentor Amar Singh, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt on Saturday night resigned as general secretary of the Samajwadi Party claiming he was hurt by the treatment meted out to his “elder brother” by certain leaders of the party.

“When the Supreme Court did not give me chance to contest Lok Sabha elections, Amar Singh made me general secretary of the party. He had said both of us would work for the party from the same position,” Mr. Dutt told a hurriedly-called press conference here.

“If he is no more the general secretary, I am also quitting the post,” Mr. Dutt said.

He, however, said he would remain in the party as long as Mr. Singh was there.

Mr. Dutt said that though Mr. Singh slogged for the party in his poor health condition, certain party leaders mistreated him.

“Amar Singh was hurt by many people in the party. I am also feeling hurt that he was hurt,” he told journalists.

Mr. Dutt said he was also “hurt” by the statement of senior party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, cousin of SP chief Mulayam Singh, that the party had not got even a single seat in Uttar Pradesh due to campaigning by the film star.

“We [actors] are touchy people. I feel hurt. I had slogged in the U.P. polls, but there is no recognition for this in the party... I am happy that I am quitting the post,” he said.

Mr. Dutt, however, praised Mr. Mulayam Singh and said he respected him and would continue to work as a “dedicated” worker.

Asked whether he had sought permission from Mr. Amar Singh before quitting the post, Mr. Dutt said: “I have told him that I will do this. But he advised me against resigning. I told him you are my elder brother and we will be on the same pedestal.” — PTI