In the first sign of open revolt within the BJP in Bihar since the party split up with long-time ally JD(U), a rebel BJP legislator deeply critical of senior leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi’s style of functioning was suspended on Sunday for anti-party activities.
The suspension of Mr Amarnath Gami, MLA from Hayaghat in northern Darbhanga district, came after he described Mr S.K. Modi, the most prominent among the BJP’s Bihar leaders, as “power hungry” and accused him of monopolising the state party unit to the extent of stifling its scope for growth for a long time. With another BJP legislator, Mr Vijay Mishra, reportedly airing strong displeasure over Mr Gami’s suspension, speculation was rife that Bihar’s 91-member BJP Legisla-ture Party might be heading for a major split in the near future with the covert instigation of chief minister and Nitish Kumar.
“The party placed Gami under suspension for clear anti-party activities. Disciplinary action against him and some others is being mooted,” said BJP state spokesman and MLA Vinod Narayan Jha. BJP state vice-president Sanjay Mayukh said state unit chief Mangal Pandey issued the suspension order. Mr Pandey is known to be a protégé of Mr S.K. Modi. In his caustic criticism of Mr Modi, Mr Gami said: “I am opening my mouth against Modi today because he has hijacked the party and does not want party cadres to grow.. Modi is, in reality, a leader of the panchayat level but speaks of big issues.”