By IANS
Jaipur : Rajasthan’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled a Gujjar legislator for participating in rallies demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the community and speaking against the Vasundhara Raje government.
BJP national president Rajnath Singh was consulted before the decision was taken to expel Prahlad Gunjal, who had been suspended two months ago along with another legislator, Attar Singh Bhadana.
While expelling Gunjal from primary membership of the party, state BJP president Mahesh Sharma has recommended to the chief minister that he be disassociated from the legislature party as well.
According to a senior BJP organisational leader: “The party took the decision after checking video CDs that showed Gunjal speaking against the party and the CM.”
“I have officially not received anything in this regard. But if it is right, then I will fight for Gujjar issues with more vigour,” a defiant Gunjal told IANS.
“It seems the chief minister is troubled by our rally that is to be held in Jhalawar on Aug 26,” he added.
Sources in the BJP said the party was also likely to act against Bhadana soon.
Violent Gujjar protests demanding that the community be included in the Scheduled Tribe category had paralysed Rajasthan for a week from May 29-June 4. Highways and other major roads were blocked, train services disrupted and at least 25 people killed.