BJP expels Chaman Lal Gupta for 7 Years, suspends 6 others

SRINAGAR: Amid ruckus and an adjournment, the Congress finally managed to get names of BJP's seven lawmakers who had voted for J&K's ruling coalition in April. While senior leader and former Union minister Chaman Lal Gupta was expelled from the party, the other six MLAs - J R Sapolia, Gharu Ram, Bharat Bhushan, Baldev Raj, Durga Dass and Lal Chand- were suspended.

Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone said on Thursday that BJP wanted one member's expulsion and placing the six members under suspension.

Gupta, according to the Speaker's revelation, was terminated by the BJP for seven years from the basic membership of the party. Lone, however, ruled that he would not take any action against any of seven lawmakers unless the high court decides the petition. "Till then, we have no option but to maintain a status quo," he said. "I do not want the court decision getting influenced."

In April, BJP lawmakers ended up voting for the ruling coalition while electing the members of the state legislative council. Of the 11 votes in its kitty, BJPs official candidate got only four votes as the party's four votes were bagged by NC and three by Congress.

It created a hue and cry forcing BJP to hold a probe and finally suggest action against the seven lawmakers in a letter to the J&K Assembly Speaker.

After the names were out, the Congress members created a ruckus saying that if the members have lost the confidence of the party that had given them the mandate to represent the people, they can not be members of the House. "They should seek a fresh mandate," a lawmaker said. After the Speaker insisted that he would not change his mind, they flocked out in protest.