RLSP expels national gen secy; Katiyar cries foul

RLSP, an NDA ally, today expelled its national general secretary Akhilesh Katiyar, accusing him of indulging in "corrupt practices" in raising funds for the upcoming Bihar polls, even as he claimed the move was a fallout out of him "exposing" the Gujarat model of BJP.

Katiyar, however, rubbished the charge saying he had no time to focus on Bihar as he was busy with Hardik Patels's agitation for last one month and was campaigning with him in Gujarat.

He claimed he was being expelled for "exposing" Gujarat model of BJP.

"It has come to the notice of the party that you have been indulging in corrupt practices of collecting funds from various people on behalf of party, for the forthcoming Bihar elections, without any consent or authorisation of the party.
 

"Therefore in view of the above mentioned charge, you are hereby expelled from the primary membership of the party," National Chief General Secretary of RLSP Shivraj Singh said in a communication to Katiyar today, which was also released to the media.

Katiyar, a Kurmi leader, who hails from Uttar Pradesh had organised Hardik Patel's event at the Gujjar Bhawan in Delhi on Sunday and had also participated in Hardik's Gujarat agitation.

In Delhi, he had he received Hardik at the airport, accompanied him to his press conference, and later shared the stage with him at the meeting at Gujjar Bhawan.

Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, who heads the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) had said that the party had nothing to do with Sunday's event and it had no role in Katiyar attending Hardik's event.

When asked about the party action, Katiyar told PTI, "they have fired me because I am supporting an agitation, which is exposing the Gujarat model of BJP. I am doing this being part of a party, which is in alliance with the BJP and hence they want me out.

"They are levelling such allegations just to throw me out. If speaking truth is a crime, I am ready to be called a criminal".

He also claimed that he had talked to RLSP chief Kushwaha, who had "disapproved" of Shivraj's letter and told him that he was being fired because he went against party line and not due to any "corrupt practice" as alleged in the letter.