The BJP on Wednesday suspended Darbhanga MP Kirti Azad for “anti-party activities” with immediate effect. The BJP MP has been demanding a probe into corruption in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), especially during the 13 years when it was headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
A show-cause notice has been issued to him asking him to explain his “anti-party conduct”, the BJP said, adding that further action will depend on his reply. Reacting to his suspension while denying he has received any formal communication from the party, Azad said: “I have not done anything against the party. I have raised issues of corruption.”
The 56-year-old Azad called it “unfortunate” and said he had honestly worked for the party. “Wait and watch Wait and watch what I do next. Now I will tell everyone,” he said, sounding defiant.
Azad has been aggressively raising the issue of DDCA corruption through the social media and held a press conference on Sunday with details of his alleged expose. He did so despite having been cautioned by the BJP President Amit Shah against going public with his allegations.
The BJP MP, who has been backed by former India cricket captain Bishen Singh Bedi and party colleague Shatrughan Sinha, followed up the presser with an open dare on the social media and barbs in Parliament targeting Jaitley, prompting the party to crack the whip.
Though Azad has been unrelenting in his attack, Jaitley has chosen not to proceed against him even as he dragged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, slapping civil and criminal defamation suits against them in the Delhi High Court and the Patiala House court.
BJP has rallied around the Finance Minister with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he will come out of it with flying colours. Amit Shah also batted for him saying the party stands united with him.
Honest voices muzzled: AAP Soon after Azad was suspended, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is being sued for defamation by the Finance Minister, accused the BJP of muzzling “honest voices”.
“There is no democracy in the BJP. Honest voices are muzzled to protect corruption,” said Kejriwal in a series of tweets. “ Kirti Azad ka kasoor tha ki unhone bhrashtachar ke khilaf awaz uthai. Aaj Bhajpa puri tarah expose ho gayi. Bhajpa puri tarah bhrashtachar mein dubi (Kirti Azad is guilty of speaking out against corruption. Today, BJP stands totally exposed. BJP is inundated with corruption),” Kejriwal added.
Shatrughan backs Kirti Azad Shatrughan Sinha too kept up his defence of Azad through his Twitter account, calling him “hero of the day”. “Kirti Azad – hero of the day. Humble appeal to friends. Avoid knee-jerk reaction/coercive action against friend who is fighting against corruption,” tweeted Sinha. “As for FM, issue should be fought politically not legally. As advised by our dashing dynamic PM, our FM could follow Advani ji ’s example and come clean,” the actor-turned-politician added.