SP MLA Kishore Samrite suspended

Bhopal, Mar 19: The Madhya Pradesh unit of Samajwadi Party (SP) suspended its MLA from Lanjhi constituency Kishre Samrite on the charge of his involvement in anti-party activities. Samrite had on Tuesday alleged that Congress leaders had attempted to bribe him for voting in favour of independent candidate Vivek Tankha, who is being backed by Congress and SP.

State SP president Narayan Tripathi told that party’s national general secretary Amar Singh has issued orders in this regard on the charge of indiscipline. The questions raised over Samrite were- as why he did not take the party in confidence if such an offer came to him, why did he not make efforts for nabbing the offenders red-handed, and as why he refused to vote for Tankha after the party had issued a whip in Tankha’s favour. Earlier in the state assembly, State SP president Narayan Tripathi told media persons in the Vidhan Sabha premises, “SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav has issued a whip to cast vote in favour of Tankha and disciplinary action will be initiated against those violating it. Such members could face expulsion.”

Narayan Tripathi told media persons in the Vidhan Sabha premises, “SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav has issued a whip to cast vote in favour of Tankha and disciplinary action will be initiated against those violating it. Such members could face expulsion.” Raising question on the integrity of Samrite, Tripathi alleged that he had joined hands with the BJP. “Samrite went downstairs to collect money and returned to his room. Meanwhile, when he sensed something fishy, he called media,” he said, adding that the statements of Samrite gave rise to several suspicions.

Raising question on the integrity of Samrite, Tripathi alleged that he had joined hands with the BJP. “Samrite went downstairs to collect money and returned to his room. Meanwhile, when he sensed something fishy, he called media,” he said, adding that the statements of Samrite gave rise to several suspicions. The SP leader dubbed the bribery episode as a conspiracy by the ruling BJP and demanded CBI inquiry into the matter. He said the Congress has not offered bribe to Samrite because all party legislators were bound to vote for Tankha as per the party whip.

Meanwhile, Samrite remained adamant on his statement that former Congress minister NP Prajapati provided him Rs 10 lakh bribe and he offered to pay the rest amount later. “The whip referred to by Tripathi is not really a whip, which is issued on the authorised letter of the party. A meeting of party legislators is called before issuing the whip but it has not happened,” said Samrite. He said he was making efforts that all SP legislators maintained equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress. He would hold discussion with party leaders in this regard soon. On whether he exercise his franchise during the Rajya Sabha election, Samrite replied that he would take a decision in this regard before election date on March 28.