As the political crisis in the Uttarakhand government deepened, the Congress on Monday expelled former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna’s son Saket Bahuguna and party joint secretary Anil Gupta for six years for “anti-party” activities.
Mr. Saket was among the nine leaders who rebelled against the Harish Rawat government.
State Congress chief Kishore Upadhyay said the disciplinary committee recommended to the Pradesh Congress Committee that Saket and Gupta be expelled on the basis of their statements published in newspapers and broadcasted by news channels.
Considering the activities of Mr. Saket, who was a two-time Lok Sabha candidate from Tehri seat, and Gupta as “anti-party”, the PCC accepted the recommendation of the disciplinary committee and expelled them for six years.
Mr. Upadhyay said the party will not accept indiscipline and strict action will be taken against those who violate discipline.
Uttarakhand Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal had on Sunday >issued notices to nine rebel Congress MLAs asking them why they should not be disqualified from the House.
However, Pradesh BJP president and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Bhatt said as a notice of no-confidence has already been moved against the Speaker he should quit his post.
Before the crisis unfolded, the Congress had 36 MLAs in the 70-member Assembly. The ruling party also has the support of 6 members of the Progressive Democratic Front, while opposition BJP has 28 MLAs.
Published - March 21, 2016 03:21 pm IST
