BJP suspends corrupt corporator over bribery charges

The BJP high command has taken strict action in the bribery case involving Vina Joshi and suspended her from the party, while seeking a written explanation from her in six days.

The BJP high command has taken strict action in the bribery case involving Vina Joshi and suspended her from the party, while seeking a written explanation from her in six days. Joshi, the chairperson of the Housing Development Committee of the Surat Municipal Corporation landed in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) net on Thursday, after she was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a local builder.

The ACB also arrested her husband, Jitendra. The two were sent to judicial custody by the court.

Sources said that Surat city BJP president Pravin Naik has sent his report to the Parliamentary Board committee over the bribery incident. BJP state general secretary Jayanti Barot has also sent a fax to the city BJP office stating that the committee members have taken the decision that Joshi should be immediately suspended from the party. The letter further said that Joshi should give an explanation to the members in six days. If she fails to do so or if the party high command is not satisfied with the reply, she should be dismissed from the party.

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The fax message has sent shockwaves in the city BJP office and the news of Joshi’s suspension has spread like wildfire.

Residents of Bamroli and Pandesara Housing Board from where she was elected as corporator, were happy after hearing the news of the suspension. Everywhere, people were seen discussing the issue, and they were shocked to learn that the suspension order came early.

Naik said: “We are happy with the decision taken by the party high command. This will serve as an example for our corporators. We have also posted the letter with the faxed report to Vina. If the party high-command is not satisfied with the reply, she would be dismissed. After her dismissal, we will demand for her resignation from the post of corporator. At present, she is in judicial custody and we are awaiting her explanation.”