Lok Sabha MP from Amroha and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Danish Ali, who had been at the receiving end of unsavoury remarks by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri in the Parliament, has been suspended from the party for “anti-party activities”.
“This is to inform you that Mr Danish Ali B.S.P. Lok Sabha MP from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh has been suspended from the party today 9.12.2023 due to anti-party activities,” a statement from the Mayawati’s party read on Saturday.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) suspends its MP Danish Ali for indulging in anti-party activities: BSP pic.twitter.com/BKHHuVbStw— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2023
The move comes a day after Ali walked out of Lok Sabha proceedings along with other opposition members on Friday to protest against the government’s motion to expel TMC member Mahua Moitra for “unethical conduct.”
The party statement said that the Amroha MP has been warned several times that he shouldn’t act or make statements which don’t abide by the party’s rules, ideology and policies.
“However, despite all the warnings, you have been acting and working against the party,” it added.
In his response, Danish Ali said he never indulged in any kind of anti-party activities and only raised his voice against the BJP-led government’s “anti-people” policies, asserting that if this was his “crime”, he was ready to face punishment for it.
मैं बहन मायावती जी का हमेशा शुक्रगुज़ार रहूँगा की उन्होंने मुझे @bspindia का टिकट दे कर लोक सभा का सदस्य बनने में मदद की। बहन जी ने मुझे बसपा संसदीय दल का नेता भी बनाया। मुझे सदैव उनका असीम स्नेह और समर्थन मिला। उनका आज का फ़ैसला दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है। मैंने अपनी पूरी मेहनत और १/३— Kunwar Danish Ali (@KDanishAli) December 9, 2023
He called BSP supremo Mayawati’s decision to suspend him was “unfortunate”. He said he was grateful to BSP chief Mayawati for giving him a party ticket and helping him become a member of the Lok Sabha.
“She (Mayawati) also made me the leader of BSP parliamentary party. I always received her immense affection and support. Her decision today is unfortunate. I did all the hard work, worked diligently to strengthen the BSP and never indulged in any kind of anti-party activities,” the MP said in a post in Hindi on X following his suspension from the party.
“The people of my Amroha area are witness to this. I have definitely opposed the anti-people policies of the BJP-led government and will continue to do so. I also raised my voice against looting by a few crony-capitalists and and will continue to do so. Because this is true public service,” he said.
Ramesh Bidhuri-Danish Ali Row
In September 2023, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri had stirred a political row after he used communal slurs against Danish Ali in the Parliament. Speaker Om Birla had cautioned the BJP MP and warned him of “strict action” if such behaviour is repeated. He was also served a show-cause notice by BJP president J P Nadda for his controversial comments.
On Thursday, Bidhuri expressed regret for his objectionable remarks against Ali at a meeting of the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee, which heard both leaders separately.
Earlier in November, opposition MPs, including Danish Ali and TMC’s Mahua Moitra, who has been expelled from Lok Sabha over ‘cash-for-query’ allegations, had walked out from the Parliament Ethics Committee meeting.
Mahua Moitra was expelled from Lok Sabha on Friday after the members voted in favour of the motion.
“The ethics committee, without getting to the root of the case, decided to hang me. It refused to summon the businessman to testify, and there is np evidence of any cash or any gifts,” she said outside the Parliament as Opposition leaders stood behind her in support.