Date:19/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/19/stories/2008111961241200.htm

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Natwar, Jagat broke party discipline: BSP

Atiq Khan

LUCKNOW: The former External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh, and his son Jagat Singh have been expelled from the Bahujan Samaj Party on the charge of indiscipline. Mr. Natwar Singh has been charged with working against the principles and policies of the BSP. He joined the BSP at a rally in Lucknow on August 9 this year.

After having been expelled earlier from the Congress, he campaigned for the Samajwadi Party-led United National Progressive Alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2007 Assembly elections.

In a press release on Tuesday, BSP national general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra charged Mr. Natwar Singh with indiscipline following the leadership’s refusal to nominate him for the Rajya Sabha.

Mr. Mishra said that he had been clearly told that it was not possible to nominate him as preference was given to those who had a long association with the BSP movement. The former Minister was told that ticket would not be given to an industrialist nor would an opportunist be sent to the House.

As for Mr. Jagat Singh, Mr. Mishra said he had been given ticket to contest the Lok Sabha election from Jaipur. When he realised that the BSP would play an important role in the formation of the next government in Rajasthan, he clamoured for contesting the Vidhan Sabha poll from Bharatpur. However, Mr. Jagat Singh was refused nomination as a Brahmin candidate was already named for the seat.

Mr. Mishra clarified that no party post had been given to Mr. Natwar Singh and his son, who were in the BSP as ordinary workers. Mr. Jagat Singh was earlier expelled from the Rajasthan BSP unit.