Former BSP minister Suman, ex-MLC son expelled from party

Zonal coordinator for Agra and Aligarh zone, BSP, Sunil Kumar Chittor, confirmed the development. He said both the leaders had been blamed for indiscipline that had weakened the party and misled party workers.

Agra

Narayan Singh Suman, former horticulture minister in Mayawati’s cabinet, and his son and former member of the legislative council, Dr Swadesh Kumar Suman (Veeru), were expelled from the Bahujan Samaj Party on Monday evening.(HT Photo)

Narayan Singh Suman, former horticulture minister in Mayawati’s cabinet, and his son and former member of the legislative council, Dr Swadesh Kumar Suman (Veeru), were expelled from the Bahujan Samaj Party on Monday evening.

Both of them, however, said they would remain loyal to Mayawati and follow every order issued by her.

Zonal coordinator for Agra and Aligarh zone, BSP, Sunil Kumar Chittor, confirmed the development. Both the leaders were accused of indiscipline that weakened the party and misled the party workers, he said.

While the decision took some by surprise, several political pundits said it was expected, as Veeru Suman withdrew from contesting the MLC elections despite the party’s order.

In 2007, Narayan Singh Suman contested the assembly elections for the BSP from Etmadpur and won. Despite the first time win, he was made the horticulture minister in Mayawati’s state cabinet. He was also given a ticket to contest the parliamentary elections in 2014, which he lost.

His son, Veeru Suman, got a BSP ticket for contesting the MLC election in 2010 from Agra (Firozabad), which he won by a comfortable margin. However, after his term ended earlier this year, Suman withdrew from contesting the MLC election again, going against the party leader’s direction.

When contacted, Veeru Suman said he and his father respected any decision taken by ‘Behanji’. “We have been loyal to Bahujan Samaj Party and its leader and will continue to be so,” he said.

When asked about future course of action, Veeru Suman said that they would make attempts to meet Mayawati and “clarify the misunderstanding”. The former MLC stated, “It’s possible that incorrect information was fed to the party that led to such a step on her part.” Countering allegations of shifting loyalties, he added, “Those making this charge are not able to name any party other than BSP with which we have been in contact.”