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Congress suspends Bhajan, two MLAs

Special Correspondent

Accused of anti-party activities by the party

Down and out: Bhajan Lal

NEW DELHI: The Congress Party on Monday announced the suspension of the former Haryana Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal, and two MLAs — Dharam Pal Singh Mallik and Rakesh Kamboj — from the party for anti-party activities.

Mr. Lal, 77, has formed a regional party and held a rally in Haryana last month. Notice had been sent to him by the Disciplinary Action Committee chaired by party leader A.K. Antony. Last week, the DAC met and decided to take action against the rebels.

“Bhajan Lal, Dharam Pal Singh Mallik and Rakesh Kamboj, MLAs, have been suspended from the Indian National Congress for anti-party activities with immediate effect,” AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi, in charge of organisation, said in a statement released here.

Mr. Lal had been upset since the last Assembly elections when Bhupinder Singh Hooda was chosen over him to head the State.

PTI adds: A petition on disqualification of the three legislators is already pending with the Haryana Speaker, who has issued a notice to them in the matter.

Reports from Chandigarh said that Mr. Lal is in the U.S. for medical treatment and his son Kuldeep Bishnoi is accompanying him.

Reacting to his suspension, Mr. Malik, a former Haryana Congress chief, told PTI: “It is up to the party to keep me in or out.”

An MLA from Gohana in Sonepat district, he said he would keep on raising issues concerning people.

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