Computer Baba Expelled From His Sect After Alleging its Working at BJP's Behest, May Set Up New Akhada

Indore: Religious leader Computer Baba, who was recently expelled from the Digambar Ani Akhada, said Wednesday he is mulling to set up a new `akhada' during the ensuing Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

Computer Baba, a friend-turned-critic of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh, alleged the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) is working at the BJP's behest.

The Akhada Parishad is the apex organisation of Hindu sants and sadhus. Akharas are outfits of Hindu sants and sadhus.

Talking to PTI, Computer Baba said he was expelled from the Digambar Ani Akhara on an improper order of the Akhara Parishad.

"I was expelled at a time when I was running a campaign to save the Narmada river. The Akhada Parishad is working at the behest of BJP."

"Saints like Uma Bharti became Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and then a Union Minister. Mahant of Gorakhnath Math Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. But, Akhada Parishad doesn't like me because I speak openly against the BJP," he said.

Computer Baba said he will mobilise saints and seersof the country from December 22 to 30 in Prayagraj (Allahabad) and discuss the prospects of forming a new akhada.

Meanwhile, Mahant Narendra Giri, president of ABAP, refuted Computer Baba's allegations and said his organisation has no affiliation with any political party.

On the new akhada plan of Computer Baba, Giri said, "According to traditions of Sanatan Dharma, the Akhara Parishad recognises only 13 akhadas. We cannot recognise anynew akhada."

In November, Computer Baba, whose original name is Namdeo Das Tyagi, was expelled by the ABAP from the Digambar Ani Akhada, a prominent denomination of the Vaishnava sect, for jumping into political arena.

Computer Baba was accorded the minister of state status by the state government in April this year and appointed to a committee for protection of the Narmada river.

However, later he resigned from the panel, accusingChief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of not fulfilling his promises and alleging his government did little to stopillegal sand mining in the Narmada.

Moreover, Computer Baba held several congregations of saints and urged people to vote for the Congress in the November 28 elections in the state.