Bihar: RJD expels Ali Ashraf Fatmi for six years

Patna, April 18: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar has expelled Ali Ashraf Fatmi from the party for six years because of his anti-party activities. He has already resigned from the primary membership of the party. Fatmi announced that he will file nomination from Madhubani Parliamentary constituency as an independent against the grand alliance candidate.

 

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejaswi Prasad Yadav has said that stern action will be taken against those who indulge in anti-party activities

Fatmi made the move a day after he resigned from all posts he held in the RJD, including in its parliamentary board, and said he would wait till April 18 for the party's decision on the seat from where the ''Mahagathbandhan's'' fledgeling outfit Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has fielded its candidate.

"Tejashwi spoke to me on Tuesday and told me that I was being suspended from the party for a period of six years. He was so rough and rude...I was appalled. My political career began before he was born," Fatmi said.

Asked about reports that he would contest on the ticket of Mayawati's BSP, Mr Fatmi replied "At present, I can say only this much I will be contesting as a candidate of a national party. And BSP is a national party".

Fatmi said RJD chief Lalu Yadav's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav has been openly revolting against the party. He has floated a parallel outfit, the Lalu Rabri Morcha and has declared candidates for a few seats, even on seats which the RJD is contesting. "Why no action has been taken against him. The party has become a family property".

Fatmi had been upset over the candidature of Abdul Bari Siddiqui from Darbhanga, a seat he has represented four times and which he lost five years ago by a small margin.

He had been hopeful that RJD would compensate by fielding him from Madhubani but was upset when the seat was allotted to VIP, founded barely six months ago by former Bollywood set designer Mukesh Sahni.

With Fatmi entering the fray, the contest in Madhubani is likely to become a four-cornered one.

The BJP has replaced its sitting MP Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav with his son Ashok Yadav. VIP has fielded a former RJD man Badrinath Purve.

Besides, veteran Congress leader Mohd Shakil Ahmed has filed two sets of nomination papers a day ago, saying he would contest as an Independent if the party leadership did not allot him the symbol by April 18.