BJP extends suspension of Uttarakhand MLA for indefinite period

The BJP Thursday extended the suspension of its Uttrakhand MLA Pranav Singh Champion for an indefinite period, a day after a video showing him dancing with guns went viral on social media, causing embarrassment to the party.

Champion's three-month suspension has now been extended for an indefinite period, Uttarakhand BJP media incharge Devendra Bhasin said in a tweet.

A notice extending the period of suspension had been issued by state BJP general secretary Anil Goyal on the directions of party president Ajay Bhatt, he said.

Bhasin said the MLA had been told to explain within 10 days as why he should not be expelled from the party.

State BJP president Ajay Bhatt had told reporters on Wednesday about a notice being served on the MLA, seeking an explanation for his conduct.

Champion, who is the Khanpur MLA, landed in a fresh trouble on Wednesday when a video showing him dancing with guns to a popular Bollywood number in front of his cheering supporters went viral on social media, leaving the party red faced.

Pradesh BJP president Ajay Bhatt and the incharge of the party affairs in Uttarakhand, Shyam Jaju, reacted sharply to Champion's conduct, saying indiscipline could not be tolerated.

"The BJP is a party which does not compromise on principles. Indiscipline by anyone cannot be tolerated," Bhatt had said as the video began doing the rounds on news channels on Wednesday.

Champion is no stranger to controversies. He was in the news a couple of months ago for publicly indulging in a war of words with Jhabreda BJP MLA Deshraj Karnawal and challenging him to a wrestling bout.

Another video had gone viral last month, in which he was seen threatening a journalist.

Champion was one of the Congress MLAs who had rebelled against former CM Harish Rawat and crossed over to the BJP in 2016.