U'khand crisis: Congress expels former CM's son for 6 years

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.

Saket was among the nine members of Legislative Assembly 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 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.

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.

Notices were issued following a request from party chief whip and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh seeking action against them for violating the party whip in the state assembly during voting on the Finance Bill.

The notices have been pasted on the walls of the houses of the MLAs concerned which asks them to submit their replies to the Speaker by March 26 evening.

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 the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has 28 MLAs.

Image: Saket (left) with father and former Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna