The man who plunged into political wilderness after quitting as BJP MP from East Delhi in 1997 has finally found something newsworthy to do. He today announced his decision to embrace the ``Khalsa panth''. Addressing a press conference here, head of the Gobind Sadan Baba, Virsa Singh said Prem, who was impressed by the ``original heroic traditions of the Khalsa'', will be given a sacred siropa (turban) on March 29 when he will formally become a Sikh.

``By joining the Khalsa I am sure I will help in boosting the morale of the Sikh community,'' he says and adds,``I will be part of the tercentenary yatra, in which we will hold 250 meetings all over North India beginning March 18.''

Prem is also changing his name: Prem Singh Sher. ``Leaders are not made, they are bornlike lions. And I am like a lion,'' he says.

Why Khalsa? ``Because it is part of Hinduism. Guru Gobind Singh in Dasam Granth (10th epic) said that Khalsa and Hinduism should come together to fight Islam.''

Then why not stay a Hindu? ``Religion needs weapons too. Like the plunder of Somnath temple by Mohammed Ghazni. Did Lord Shiva save the people who were tormented? As an Indian I am hurt by these moments of history. The gods have never helped us.''

But neither have mortals. Despite the fact that BJP in Delhi had to try out three chief ministers, Prem was never in the picture.

He becomes profound. ``Milayen dil kisise kya, koi kabil nahin milta; kisi se dil nahin milta, koi dil se nahin milta''. (Who do I bring close to my heart, no one is worth it. My heart refuses to meet some, others refuse to meet with an open heart)

Then back to politics. ``When I quit from Parliament as East Delhi MP, I wrote in my resignation letter to Lal Krishna Advani that I do not believe in communalism, but I amproud to be a Brahmin,'' says Prem.

He adds: ``About 50 per cent of the VHP and 75 per cent of Sikh leaders are against my move. But I do not care about anyone's liking or disliking.''