The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took action on Wednesday by suspending Rajasthan MLA Kailash Meghwal from its primary membership following his accusations of corruption against Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The decision came after a show cause notice was issued to Shahpura MLA Kailash Meghwal, a former Speaker of the state assembly, by the state unit president of the party, C P Joshi.
“The party president has suspended his primary membership, and the matter has been referred to the disciplinary committee at the state level for further action,” stated Onkar Singh Lakhawat, the chairperson of the panel.
The conflict between the Meghwals emerged within the party as it prepared to challenge the ruling Congress in Rajasthan during the assembly polls.
Kailash Meghwal received the notice on August 29, a day after labeling the Union minister as “corrupt number one”.
On Wednesday, he reiterated the corruption allegations while accusing the party of sidelining him, expressing his transformation from “a hero to zero”.
The 89-year-old veteran, who has served as a minister both in Rajasthan and at the Centre, disclosed that he responded to the notice on Tuesday. However, there was no indication during his press conference that the party had reached a decision.
Kailash Meghwal reiterated his demand for Arjun Ram Meghwal’s removal from the cabinet post citing “pending cases” against him.
“I have written to the prime minister requesting his removal from the ministerial post until the pending court cases are resolved. I trust that the prime minister will make the correct decision,” Kailash Meghwal told reporters.
He alleged that a case filed by the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau against Arjun Ram Meghwal has been pending since 2014.
Additionally, the MLA announced his intention to petition the Election Commission for the cancellation of the minister’s parliamentary membership, citing an “allegation” that Arjun Ram Meghwal submitted a “false affidavit” before the 2014 and 2019 parliamentary elections.
“This is not a political ploy,” he emphasized, asserting his vigilance upon Arjun Ram Meghwal’s appointment as the law minister, expressing concern over the occupation of such a position by a “corrupt individual”.
“I began gathering evidence against him,” Kailash Meghwal stated.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the treatment by his party, he lamented his transition from being a party “hero” to “zero”.
“Did you see me in any of the four ‘parivartan yatras’? The only explanation for this is the preferential treatment and promotion of Arjun Ram Meghwal as a Scheduled Caste leader within the BJP,” he remarked.
He regretted the comparison of the minister to B R Ambedkar within the party, stating that it was a misguided attempt to “glorify” him.
“I will continue to be active in politics and will not abandon it,” he declared when questioned about being sidelined within the party.
