``We had no option left but to leave the Samajwadi Party as Yadav instead of supporting secular forces like Congress had started hobnobbing with communal forces'', Dalwai told media persons at the AICC headquarters.

He was welcomed into the Congress fold by party general secretary Madhavrao Scindia and Maharashtra PCC president Prataprao Bhosale who said that a large number of state office bearers, district presidents and frontal organisations chiefs of the SP would be joining the Congress at a function in Mumbai tomorrow.

Along with Dalwai, those from Maharashtra SP who joined Congress included senior vice-president, Harbans Singh, youth SP president, Bhagwanrao Bhoge and Mahila unit chief, Shiela Satpute.

Dalwai, who is a member ofthe State Legislative Council said that they had joined the Congress without any preconditions.

Scindia and Bhosale said that the development augured well for the Congress in Maharashtra. ``It is a good indicator of public mood''.

Dalwai accused Mulayam Singh Yadav of doing a volte face on the issue of communalism. ``Instead of fighting communalism, Yadav committed a somersault like George Fernandes and has betrayed Ram Manohar Lohia'', he regretted.

AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad and Maharashtra PCC office bearers Krupa Shanker Singh and Avinash Pande were also present at the hurriedly convened press conference.