Don't show Kamal Farooqi as our leader: SP tells TV channels

Samajwadi Party on Tuesday said that Kamal Farooqi has been expelled from the party and asked TV channels not to use the party's name while inviting him for debates.

"Farooqi was expelled from the party but he is still participating in TV debates as party representative. Channels should not use SP's name with him while inviting him on debates," SP National General Secretary Ramgopal Yadav said in a press release issued in Lucknow.

Farooqi, who was party's secretary, was sacked on September 5 over his controversial remarks on Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal. Farooqi had said Bhatkal may have been arrested because he was a Muslim. He had later apologised for his remark, stating that his comments were misunderstood.

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata party had slammed Farooqi for his comment, calling it ridiculous.