Date:02/05/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/05/02/stories/2004050202820400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Expulsion `shocks' Sabbam Hari

By Our Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM, MAY 1. The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and former Mayor, Sabbam Hari, has expressed `shock' at the decision of the APCC president, D. Srinivas, to expel him from the primary membership of the party for "anti-party activities''.

In a chat with reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Hari did not blame anybody for the extreme step. However, he was unhappy that he had not been contacted by the APCC leadership for comments on his alleged role against the party's prospects in the just-concluded elections.

"I have been a loyal party worker and will continue to remain loyal to the party even if I am removed from the party membership,'' he declared. The former Mayor's expulsion from the party with immediate effect was announced in Hyderabad by the APCC general secretary, S. Indrasena Reddy.

Mr. Hari said that he was planning to spell out his future course of action on May 13, once the election results were over. "I never lobbied for ticket like others and preferred not to make any comments or react even after denial of ticket for the Visakhapatnam-II Assembly segment,'' he said.

Refusing to name anyone for his "removal'' from the party, he said that before as well as during the elections, he took an active part for the success of the party.He said that he had also not received any notice or intimation from the high command on the action taken against him by the APCC president.