RLD expels two MPs

The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has expelled two of its MPs for anti-party activities, party sources said Tuesday.

Devendra Nagpal and Sarika Baghel, Lok Sabha members from Amroha and Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, have been expelled for making disparaging remarks against the RLD and "hobnobbing with another political party".

The party has approached Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar to disqualify them.

RLD president Ajit Singh suspended the two for anti-party activities July 18. An explanation was sought from the two.

Baghel did not respond, and Nagpal sought two months to reply.

Baghel moved closer to the Samajwadi Party (SP) and was recently named its candidate for Agra. She had been accusing the RLD of supporting the government's "anti-farmer policies".

Nagpal also moved closer to the SP and has attended its functions.

An RLD spokesperson said they would ask Meira Kumar to disqualify them under the anti-defection law.

The anti-defection act, included in the constitution in 1985, sets the provisions for disqualification of elected members on the grounds of defection to another political party.

The RLD has five members in the Lok Sabha.