The month long strife in Samajwadi Party’s first family showed no signs of thaw with state SP chief Shivpal Yadav expelling Akhilesh loyalist and Minister of State for Forest Tej Pratap alias Pawan Pandey from party for six years.
It is an unprecedented move in UP politics as never has a minister been expelled from the party for indiscipline.
Pandey was punished for allegedly slapping party MlC and Shivpal loyalist Ashu Malik inside the CM’s official residenceon Monday evening.
The minister is a key member of `Team Akhilesh’ and was fielded by the party in 2012 Assembly polls only because of his proximity with Akhilesh and he defeated veteran BJP leader lallu Singh, who was later elected to lok Sabha from Faizabad in 2014 polls. The SP had denied ticket to his uncle and senior SP leader Jai Shankar Pandey from Faizabad.
Shivpal Yadav said in a press conference on Wednesday that the decision to expel the minister was taken by party president Mulayam Singh Yadav. He said that indiscipline would not be tolerated at any cost and those trying to create trouble would be shown the doors.
“We have written to the CM to dismiss Pawan Pandey from the ministerial position as he has been expelled following the clash with MlC Ashu Malik,” Shivpal said.
Malik had lodged a police complaint against Pandey but since the incident occurred inside the CM’s residence, no FIR has was registered.
Shivpal inhi concluding remark claimed all was well within the Yadav clan and the party and all were united. He stressed that he would only work as per Netaji’s direction.
Unfazed by his expulsion, Pandey dismissed the order saying “Its a worthless piece of paper’ which has no value. Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav are respected leaders and I have faith in them. No other leader matters in the party,’’ Pandey said in Faizabad.
“Ashu Malik’ charges are untrue which can be confirmed from CCTV footage installed at the CM’s residence. The Security Officer posted there has given in writing to the police that no clash or assault occurred there at the time and date as claimed by Malik,‘’said Pandey.