Cong suspends Bhajan Lal

The Congress on Monday suspended former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and two other MLAs from the state for anti-party activities. 8220;Bhajan Lal, Dharam Pal Singh Mallik and Rakesh Kamboj have been suspended from the Indian National Congress for anti-party activities with immediate effect,8221; AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi, in charge of organisation, said in a statement.

A petition demanding disqualification of the three legislators is already pending with the Haryana Speaker. The Congress has also decided to approach Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to seek the disqualification of suspended party MP Kuldeep Bishnoi, Bhajan Lal8217;s son, who recently announced the formation of a new party8212;Haryana Janhit Congress.

Meanwhile, the party urged the Government not to transfer the burden of a rise in international crude oil prices to consumers, even as Left parties continued to oppose any petro price hike.

8220;The Congress hopes and trusts and is confident that the Government will take all steps reasonably possible to minimise the impact of global rise in oil prices and will also do its utmost to soften the impact for vulnerable sections of society, particularly in relation to products like kerosene, diesel and transportation fuel,8221; AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said at a press conference on Monday.