NEW DELHI/PATNA, May 7: RJD MP Pappu Yadav, who vehemently opposed the alliance with the ruling JD(U) in Bihar, was today expelled from the party for indiscipline and anti-party activities amid speculation that he may join hands with BJP ahead of the Assembly elections.
“Pappu Yadav has been expelled from the party for six years for his anti-party activities,” RJD National General Secretary Ramdeo Bhandari said in a statement.
A five-time MP, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav who had defeated JD(U) president Sharad Yadav in Madhepura in the last general elections, has been attacking RJD chief Lalu Prasad over the Janata Parivar merger.
He had also targeted Prasad over his suggestion that his son will take over RJD’s reins.
Bhandari said the decision to expel Pappu Yadav was taken after the core committee of the party under the leadership of RJD president Lalu Prasad found his reply to the show cause notice issued last month “inadequate”.
“In your reply, instead of answering my questions you made undignified, indecorous and illogical comments on the national president…
“You overstepped your limits and attacked him (Lalu). After deliberating over your reply, the party has come to the conclusion that you will not stop your anti-party activities and unwarranted actions. Hence, as directed, you are expelled with immediate effect from the party for six years for your indiscipline and anti-party activities,” Bhandari’s letter to Pappu Yadav said.
As differences with Prasad grew, Pappu Yadav had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and there is talk that he along with former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi may be part of the BJP’s alliance to take on the formidable combine of Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar in the Assembly elections scheduled later this year.
Pappu Yadav, who was also opposed to Manjhi’s removal, has been in and out of Prasad’s party and enjoys considerable following in parts of Bihar.
He is one of the four RJD MPs in Lok Sabha and his wife Ranjeet Ranjan was elected on Congress ticket from the state.
“He (Pappu) was hobnobbing with BJP while our party and leader Lalu Prasad have fought the communal forces,” RJD MP Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav said.
A known detractor of Nitish Kumar, Pappu Yadav was also opposed to the removal of Jitan Ram Manjhi as Bihar Chief Minister.
He will be holding a rally in Madhepura, his constituency, next week.
Pappu Yadav reacted to his expulsion, attacking Lalu Prasad, alleging that he only likes sycophants and his focus is on furthering his family’s interests.
The controversial leader, however, did not reveal his future course of action though there has been talk of his cosying up to BJP.
“He (Prasad) cannot tolerate critics and self-respecting people like Ranjan Yadav, Ramkripal Yadav and now me. He loves only sycophants and sand mafias,” Pappu Yadav told PTI over phone from Begusarai in Bihar after his expulsion. (PTI)
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