Is the Congress shying away from taking action against its MLA Aditi Singh fearing that the move could dent the party’s prospects in chief Sonia Gandhi’s citadel Rae Bareli, as it has already lost another pocket borough, Amethi, in the last general elections?
Aditi Singh had flouted the Congress whip and participated in the 36-hour special session of Uttar Pradesh legislature held from October 2 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary and was served a show-cause notice.
Despite Aditi Singh refusing to file any reply, the party leadership has so far taken no action against her and has pushed the matter under the carpet.
Sources in the Congress confirmed that senior leaders were in a dilemma over acting against Aditi Singh, as they fear losing a potential leader from Rae Bareli.
Rae Bareli assumes significance as earlier sitting Congress MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh and his MLA brother Rakesh Singh parted ways with the grand old party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The UP Congress brass is ostensibly waiting for a ‘go ahead’ from party’s nationals general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra before acting against Aditi Singh, as the former is almost certain to replace her mother and contest from Rae Bareli in the next general elections.
Earlier, newly-appointed UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar ‘Lallu’ had served a show-cause notice on the MLA from Rae Bareli Sadar,
Aditi Singh, asking her to submit her reply within 48 hours regarding her anti-party activities.
The UPCC chief even told media persons that if Aditi did not reply, stern action will be taken against her.
But despite Aditi not filing a reply and the deadline of show-cause notice expiring a week back, no action has been initiated against her.
Besides, no disciplinary action has been taken by the Congress against another MLA from Rae Bareli, Rakesh Singh, or his brother MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh, who are now supporting the BJP.
The party only filed application in both Houses seeking disqualification of these two legislators under anti-defection law.