Cong suspends 48 for turning rebel

NEWDELHI:The Delhi Congress has expelled 48 party leaders, who contested municipal elections held in April as rebel candidates, for six years. The decision was taken by the four-member disciplinary committee in a meeting held on Wednesday.

The party has also decided to suspend the leaders whose spouses participated in the electoral contest against party nominees.

Mehmood Zia, a former councillor, who was part of the panel, said the meeting was chaired by senior Delhi Congress leader Dr Narendra Nath. “It unanimously decided that those who fought elections against the official candidates during the municipal elections 2017 as rebel candidates, should be removed. Their primary membership has also been revoked. They have been expelled for six years,” he said.

He said the decision is based on several complaints lodged by the official Congress candidates regarding anti-party activities of the rebel candidates.

The list of suspended leaders includes the names of former municipal councillors. Some of the prominent leaders who have been suspended include Vandana Dabas (Najafgarh), Sheetal Kalsi (Kasturba Nagar), and Pramod Kumar (Manglapuri) from South Delhi Municipal Corporation. While Dabas and Kumar were municipal councillors, Sheetal Kalsi’s husband Ravi Kalsi was a councillor from Kasturba Nagar ward.

Zakir Khan, who contested from Janata Colony, was sitting councillor from the same ward in East Delhi Municipal Corporation.

Arti Garg (Kohat Enclave), Balkishan Sinswar (Kamla Nagar), and Virender Singh Sisodia (Mukundpur) contested election for North Delhi Municipal Corporation while holding significant positions in their respective districts.

Around 60 party workers were part of the electoral fray as rebel candidates, however, the action has been taken against 48 leaders. “Complaints received against others leaders are being scrutinised and proper action will be taken later,” a press statement issued by the Delhi Congress said.