Shimla, August 17
The all India Congress committee expelled two sitting MLAs of their party today. MLA Lakhwinder Rana from Nalagarh of Solan district and Pawan Kajal from Kangra Assembly constituency have been expelled by the AICC for indulgance in antiparty activities, stated press releases issued by the AICC.
AICC state in-charge Rajiv Shukla and HPCC president Pratibha Singh said that both the MLAs were expelled from the Congress party for six years with immediate effect. It is worthwhile to mention that AICC also removed Kajal from the post of the party working president last night as Chander Kumar would replace him.
It is worthwhile to mention that Rana and Kajal are in touch with the ruling BJP party to join it. Kajal is two time MLA. First elected Independent in 2012 and then won on the Congress party ticket in 2017. Rana is three time MLA who won in by-election in 2011, then 2012 and 2017 on a Congress ticket.
After this action by the party, the number of MLAs in the Congress Legislative party has been reduced to 21. The BJP, which has a two-thirds majority in the 13th legislative assembly, now has a virtual strength of up to 47.
This BJP action is being seen as retaliation for the recent Congress move, wherein they brought two strong leaders, Khimi Ram from Banjar (Kullu district) Indu Verma of Theog (Shimla), into their party fold.
