The Samajwadi Party (SP) Tuesday expelled rebel leaders Amar Singh and Jaya Prada and four Uttar Pradesh legislators for criticising the party leadership publicly.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) Tuesday expelled its high profile leaders Amar Singh and Jaya Prada for their anti-party activities. Former general secretary Amar Singh hit back within minutes to describe the expulsion as "a blessing in disguise".
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"Amar Singh and Jaya Prada, one Rajya Sabha member and other Lok Sabha member, have been expelled from the Samajwadi Party for their anti-party activities," newly-appointed SP general secretary Mohan Singh told reporters in Lucknow.
The SP has also sacked four Uttar Pradesh legislators.
Amar Singh quickly responded to the latest decision saying it was "dictatorial".
"I had asked for a sick leave from the party after 14 years of work... I wanted to take rest. The party cannot function in a dictatorial and feudal system," Amar Singh told reporters in New Delhi minutes after Mohan Singh announced the decision.
"I have been called mad, shameless and scoundrel. This is what I got in return for 14 years of service," he said, referring to Mohan Singh's earlier remarks against him.
But he would not say anything to party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh declared.
"I will not say anything to Mulayam Singhji. He has blessed me. It is a blessing in disguise. He has liberated me."
Mohan Singh said the party was now seeking legal opinion on how to throw Amar Singh and Jaya Prada out of parliament.
"We are seeking legal opinions. We will be writing a petition to the Rajya Sabha chairman and the Lok Sabha speaker on their expulsion from parliament," he said, adding that anti-party statements also come under the purview of the anti-defection law.
The move comes weeks after Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh resigned from all party posts citing poor health. However, he had been writing on his blog and giving media interviews to say that the Samajwadi Party didn't treat him well.
Film star turned politician Jaya Prada, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rampur on an SP ticket, had openly sided with Amar Singh and lashed out at his detractors saying they would be responsible if "anything happened to him".
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