Congress warns party leaders against public criticism, expels Bharti for 6 years

Shimla: The disciplinary committee of the Himachal Pradesh Congress on Tuesday issued a stern warning to party leaders and office-bearers against airing grievances related to the party or the state govt through the media or social media.The committee warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found violating party norms.The committee, headed by Theog MLA and former state Congress president Kuldeep Singh Rathore, held its first meeting at the party headquarters in Shimla on Tuesday.Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan was also present as a committee member.Addressing the media after the meeting, Rathore announced the immediate expulsion of Neeraj Bharti, the former chief parliamentary secretary, from the party for six years.The action was taken after the committee took note of Bharti's repeated social media posts criticising chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, other party leaders and the state govt.Bharti, son of agriculture minister Chander Kumar, had made various personal comments against the CM after the latter called him "nashedi" (addict).Bharti, a former MLA from Jawali, resigned as vice-president of the state Congress unit last week.Despite the blocking of his social media account at the state govt's request, Bharti has continued to target various party leaders through videos shared on social media platforms through other accounts, intensifying tensions within the Congress party.Rathore said party leaders with concerns regarding govt functioning or party affairs should raise these directly with the state Congress president, Vinay Kumar, or the disciplinary committee, instead of making public statements.MSID:: 131612017 413 |