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The Janata Dal (United) on Monday expelled party leader and outgoing Rajya Sabha member Sabir Ali for making "anti party comments".
The JD (U)'s Delhi unit chief, who is contesting election from Sheohar on the party ticket, has praised Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)'s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. "Modi's policies look good from a distance. His work for development is also laudable. The country must be governed by the people who has the capabilities to do so," he told reporters in New Delhi in the morning.
Ali also targeted Nitish Kumar. "Some smaller parties believe that they are great supporters of Muslims, but in reality they just represent their own caste. They are trying to cheat Muslims in the name of secularism. Muslims will not be trapped in this game this time," he stated. He also targeted Kumar's initiative of Third Front, saying every leader in such front wants to be the Prime Minister.
At first taken aback by his comments, the JD (U) swung into action and expelled him by afternoon. JD (U) spokesman KC Tyagi announced his expulsion from the party. Ali's candidature for Lok Sabha polls has also been revoked by the party. Party president Sharad Yadav confirmed his expulsion and said, "I was against him from the beginning and knew he was not a good person. He has shown his true face."
"Ali cheated us," said senior JD (U) leader and Bihar's Water Resources Minister Vijay Chaudhary told in Patna, "the party has decided against his renomination to the Rajya Sabha, instead was asked to contest Lok Sabha election. Ali never said anything. This shows his double character. Nobody is indispensible in politics." However, after his expulsion, a visibly miffed Sabir Ali said, "It was Nitish Kumar who ditched me. He promised me Rajya Sabha berth, but then went back on his words. I was duped because I am a Muslim."
Ali was among three Rajya Sabha MPs of JD (U), including Shivanand Tiwari and NK Singh, who were denied renomination to the upper house of the Parliament last month. NK Singh joined the BJP last week, meanwhile Tiwari was also expelled last month by the party leadership.
Ali is reportedly in touch with the BJP and may join it in next few days. Meanwhile, another JD (U) leader, Vishwa Mohan Kumar has also joined the saffron party. Kumar, JD (U) MP from Supaul has been denied ticket by the party leadership.
