Expelled Congress leader Gufran-e-Azam (in pic) filed a defamation case in a local court here on Monday against State Congress chief spokesman KK Mishra and the party’s media in-charge PK Pathak.
Azam, who came at the district court along with his supporters to file the case, claimed that his expulsion reflected the dictatorial attitude of the party. The action was taken without giving him any notice and he came to know of it only through the media.”
Azam said, “I am a member of the All India Congress Committee and hence could not be expelled without giving notice. Had any complaint reached the party then I should have been asked to put up my side before taking the action.”
He said that he knocked at the doors of the court because, according to the party’s constitution, before expelling any member it was mandatory to issue a notice and seek reply from the person, but the same was not followed in his case.
Meanwhile, Mishra told the media that he would respond as and when he would be asked to appear before the court. “I and my colleague acted as per the constitution of the party and would put forth the party’s point of view in the court only,” he added.
Notably, Azam was engaged since long in outbursts against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Acting on that the party expelled him on October 15.
Recently, Azam had publicly criticised Sonia and Rahul after the dismal performance of the party in the lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. He had questioned their leadership credentials and made statements against them publicly, that cost him dear as acting on the statements against the party leadership the party showed him door.
Meanwhile, political circles in the State are agog with speculations that Azam may soon join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party along with his supporters.