Raj Babbar warns against drift in Samajwadi Party

Lucknow: Film actor and Samajwadi MP Raj Babbar is on the warpath.

Apparently upset about the "corruption of ideology" within the Samajwadi Party, the actor-turned-politician finally broke his silence in Agra his own constituency.

Speaking at a public function, Babbar said: "When I joined the Samajwadi Party, I was drawn to the essence of socialism that I saw in abundance in Mulayam Singh Yadav. Today, a particular 'caucus' within the party is trying to destroy that essence and we are looking on as mute spectators."

Babbar further warned that if Mulayam Singh did not wake up to this malaise soon, the party would soon be over.

"It is indeed disturbing that socialist ideology which even political stalwarts like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and the Left leaders were forced to acknowledge, is now being 'thoroughly corrupted' by those having pure commercial interests in politics," he said. "It is Mulayam Singh Yadav who is a true 'dharti putra' [son of the soil] and others cannot stake claim to this title."

Babbar admitted that he was deeply pained by some of the recent events that had taken place within the Samajwadi Party.

He said that it was wrong to say that he was upset because he was no longer being given any importance after the entry of new stars on the horizon.

Asked whether he had made an effort to meet Mulayam Singh and personally convey his concern over party affairs, Babbar said: "Mr Yadav is a busy man and has many important issues to deal with. He has probably not had the time to give me an appointment and I do not hold it against him."