BSP expels party MP for praising Narendra Modi

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Wednesday expelled Vijay Bahadur Singh, the party's member of parliament from Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur constituency, for praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Vijay Bahadur Singh invited the ire of BSP chief Mayawati for lauding Modi for levying entry fee and tickets for his Hyderabad rally slated for Aug 11. Three days ago, he was warned to desist from showering such praises on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.

On Tuesday, the Hamirpur MP appreciated the BJP lok Sabha campaign committee chief for being "very innovative". "In politics, one should be innovative and I have heard that Modi- ji is going to donate the funds collected at his rally for rehabilitation and relief work in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand," Vijay Bahadur Singh said while explaining that he has done no wrong.

Earlier July 14, he criticised all political parties for lashing out at Modi for his "puppy" statement during a television interview. 

He also slammed politicians for "unnecessarily dragging Modi into their petty vote bank politics". 

Soon after this, while Modi is learned to have telephoned Vijay Bahadur Singh and thanked him for "understanding the real meaning behind my analogy", BSP chief Mayawati warned the MP against making any pro-Modi statements in future.

At a press meet here Sunday, Mayawati said Vijay Bahadur Singh's statements concerning Modi were his personal opinions. However, she warned that if he chose to continue making such statements, the party would not tolerate it. 

The Samajwadi Party alleged that Mayawati did not expel Vijay Bahadur Singh as she was hand in gloves with the BJP.The BSP has already decided not to repeat Vijay Bahadur Singh from Hamirpur in the forthcoming lok Sabha polls. He is now said to be in touch of the BJP to resurrect his political fortunes.