Duo expelled for demanding Priyanka LS candidature

According to a statement issued by the city Congress Friday,the Ahmed and Dubey were expelled following a decision by the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee’s disciplinary committee,headed by Ram Krishna Dwivedi.

In the decision,Dwivedi said that the duo’s act had vitiated the atmosphere within the party and gives the opposition an opportunity to launch attacks on Congress,particularly when the Lok Sabha elections are near.

Talking to The Indian Express over phone,Dwivedi said: “Demanding that a particular leader be made candidate from a particular constituency is the right of every party worker. But it should be done through the proper channel and forum. In this case,the manner was improper and derogatory. Some outsiders may have conspired with the persons in question to create a negative atmosphere.”

Dwivedi,however,ruled out the possibility of lodging an FIR against the expelled duo even as the party,sources said,was seeking legal opinion on whether putting up the poster constituted any cognizable offence.

Dubey,who along with Ahmed is sitting on fast-unto-death at Anand Bhawan since yesterday,said: “We are not worried about the party action. Our demand is that Priyanka should make foray into active politics as a candidate from Phoolpur and our expulsion be rolled back. Until that happens,we will continue with our protest.”

The poster,put up Tuesday,had urged Priyanka to take up candidature for Phoolpur constituency because her mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi now suffers from poor health,and brother,Rahul Gandhi,was overworked. Next day,they were suspended.