PUNE, Nov 11: Showering praises on the alliance government, founder of Dalit Panther and well known Marathi poet Namdeo Dhasal today said he would never join hands with Congress or Republican Party of India (RPI) and would prefer to make friendship with the saffron alliance.

Addressing a press conference here today, Dhasal, who had contested last Lok Sabha election from Pune as a RPI candidate, said the saffron alliance was no more communal as several Dalits, Muslims and OBCs were part of the government. He said the present government in Maharashtra was much better than Congress. Dhasal, who revived the Dalit Panther some time back categorically said he would never involve himself in unification of the various factions .Stating that RPI was restricted to only Neo-Buddhists, he said he would like to make Dalit Panther more accommodative.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.