Anil Sharma still a BJP MLA: Bindal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 14

The fate of former minister and sitting BJP legislator Anil Sharma hangs in balance as the party is yet to formally suspend or expel him from the party even though he is no longer a primary member of the saffron party.

“I have not received any written or verbal communication from anyone in the BJP regarding Anil Sharma not being a BJP MLA,” said Rajeev Bindal, Vidhan Sabha Speaker. This means that Anil is technically still a BJP MLA.

Bindal, however, added that since Anil is no longer a minister, his seat has been changed in the Assembly according to his seniority. “Anil is a senior MLA and his seat in the Assembly and accommodation will be given as per his seniority,” said Bindal.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti today clarified that the BJP will file a formal complaint against Anil Sharma to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker shortly. “We have collected all record which will be the basis of his expulsion from the BJP. This will be filed before the Speaker shortly and it is then that a decision on his expulsion will be taken,” he added.

Satti further said that Anil had resigned from the Cabinet after his son contested as a Congress candidate from Mandi parliamentary seat but as far as his expulsion from the BJP is concerned, it is the Vidhan Sabha Speaker who will take the final call. He said the party will shortly take a call on that and move the case before the Speaker and till then he would continue as an MLA.

Anil, son of former Telecommunication Minister Sukh Ram is at the receiving end, following his son Ashray Sharma contesting the Lok Sabha election as the Congress candidate from the Mandi parliamentary seat.