The Chhattisgarh Congress Committee on Wednesday suspended two party MLAs and “reprimanded” two other leaders for making “anti-party” statements.
The party had earlier issued notices to Biha MLA Siyaram Koushik , Gunderdehi MLA R.K.Rai, former Bilaspur Mayor Vani Rai and former MLA Kuldeep Juneja.
“Two sitting MLAs did not even respond to disciplinary notice so they have been suspended. Two other leaders have been warned against making anti-party statements,” state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel told reporters at the Congress headquarters here.
According to state Congress General Secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, Mr.R.K.Rai had accused senior party leader Motilal Vohra of selling party tickets during civic polls.
However, two suspended MLAs and other two leaders are considered close to heavyweight Congress leader in the state Ajit Jogi and action against them is being seen as an attempt to target Jogi group by anti -Jogi group.
“The action against MLAs was not unanimous. According to the party constitution, they can appeal to the Congress leadership against their suspension,” said Mr.Jogi.
But a leader from anti-Jogi camp denied that there was any voting in the disciplinary committee.
“There is no provision for voting in the disciplinary committee. Saying that the decision was opposed in the committee is misleading the people of the state,” said the leader requesting anonymity.
Both Mr.Koushik and Mr.Rai defended themselves and said that they would seek “justice” from Congress high command.