‘Rift’ in U’khand Cong after party expels two leaders

STATE GENERAL SECY KHAJAN PANDEY FROM HALDWANI AND LEADER MARUTI SAH FROM NAINITAL HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FOR A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS.

: The state Congress has expelled two of its senior leaders, known to be close to former chief minister Harish Rawat, citing their “anti-party activities” as the reason.

State general secretary Khajan Pandey from Haldwani and leader Maruti Sah from Nainital have been expelled by the state unit’s disciplinary committee for a period of six years, the party said in a communique.

Both these leaders are said to be very close to former chief Minister Harish Rawat who is presently the National General Secretary of the Congress party. Khajan Pandey blamed “the ego of some senior leaders” for his expulsion, and alleged that he “wasn’t given any notice”. “This is totally undemocratic,” Pandey said. “The charge of being involved in anti-party activities is baseless. I will approach the central disciplinary committee against my expulsion.”

Sah could not be reached for a comment. Leader of opposition in the state assembly Indira Hridayesh said the decision was taken by the party, and held that the leadership “must have had a valid reason”.

But the deputy leader of opposition Karan Mahra told the media that “some elements in the party were promoting factionalism”.

“Khajan Pandey and Maruti Sah should have been given an opportunity to explain their position and the disciplinary committee should not have acted arbitrarily,” Mahra said. Mahra added that he would raise the matter at the state unit meeting on December 16.