The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday expelled senior Madhya Pradesh leader Laxman Singh, the younger brother of former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, from the party’s primary membership for six years. The action was taken in response to what the party described as repeated acts of indiscipline and public criticism of the leadership.
The decision was announced by Tariq Anwar, Member Secretary of the AICC Disciplinary Action Committee, and was approved by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. According to the Congress, Laxman Singh’s recent statements had severely tarnished the party’s image, leaving no room for leniency.
Laxman Singh had triggered controversy during a condolence program following the Pahalgam terror attack, where he publicly described Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra as ‘immature’. He had further questioned the party’s alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was linked to terrorists and that the Congress should immediately withdraw its support to his government. These statements, made in a public forum, drew sharp criticism from within the party.
The Disciplinary Committee issued a show-cause notice to Laxman Singh on May 9, asking him to explain his remarks within ten days. However, the reply submitted by him failed to satisfy the party leadership, prompting the Committee to recommend strong disciplinary action.
Laxman Singh, known for his outspoken views, remained defiant even after the expulsion. He insisted that his comments were intended as constructive criticism and said that if the party wanted to remove him, he would accept it without regret. His remarks reflected growing dissatisfaction among some Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, even as the party leadership moves to consolidate ahead of key electoral battles.
The expulsion has set off speculation about Laxman Singh’s future political course. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party have already expressed openness to his entry, with some calling his exit a result of long-standing suppression within the Congress. Although he has not made any announcements, political observers believe realignment cannot be ruled out.
The development has also cast a shadow over the internal dynamics of the Singh political family, long influential in Madhya Pradesh. With Laxman Singh now removed from the Congress fold and Digvijaya Singh continuing as a key player in the party’s national leadership, all eyes are on how this internal divide will play out in the state’s politics.
With this expulsion, Laxman Singh stands barred from the Congress until June 2031, unless the decision is reviewed by the party president in the future.