Bhim Army chief on meeting spree to strengthen outfit

DALITMUSLIM EQUATION Chandrashekhar likely to forge a strategic bond with Muslims

MEERUT: After his release from Saharanpur jail on September 14, Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar aka Raavan is meeting the leaders of various organisations to strengthen his outfit.

According to Bhim Army leaders, Chandrashekhar is likely to forge a strategic bond with Muslims to consolidate Dalit-Muslim equation in the region to ensure the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Soon after his release, many political leaders and social activists met Chandrashekhar at his home in Chutmalpur town of Saharanpur.

His meetings with Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) student leaders Umar Khalid and Nadeem and with the president of Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind Arshad Madni, remained in talks even as Khalid and Madni claimed it to be a courtesy call.

Chandrashekhar also held

meetings with Congress leader Imran Masood, expelled BSP leader and former minister Daddu Singh and PFI (Popular Front of India) leader Ismail Ahmad.

A Bhim Army leader, who did not wish to be named, said: “Chandrashekhar has supporters among intellectuals who have been churning out strategies for forthcoming movements. They work from behind the curtain and had helped him in organising a protest at Jantar Mantar on May 21 last year to help him showcase his growing influence.”

While announcing his priorities after his release, Chandrashekhar had said his focus would be on strengthening the organisation and bringing dalits, exploited and marginalised people together.

During his welcome programme in Gangoh town of Saharanpur on Wednesday, he reiterated that Bhim Army would not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election but would prepare a force which would support the alliance against the BJP.

Meanwhile, Chandrashekher left for Punjab on Thursday.

Bhim Army’s Saharanpur district president Kamal Walia said Chandrashekhar would pay obeisance at Dera Sach Khand and Valmiki Tirth.

“He will stay in Punjab for four days and meet people there,” he said. Another Bhim Army leader said Chandrashekhar would soon visit different parts of the country to build up the organisation and seek people’s support.