Mumbai, Oct 22 The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) has expelled its leader Nitesh Karale for six years for allegedly violating party discipline by filing an independent nomination against an Opposition bloc candidate in the biennial Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections.
The NCP (SP) on Thursday said Karale, popularly known as Guruji, breached party discipline by filing his nomination against Abhijit Govindrao Wanjari, Congress member and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)’s official candidate for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituency in the October 23 polls.
In a statement here, the Opposition party said Karale, contesting as an Independent nominee, also created confusion among voters by giving the impression that NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar supported his candidature.
The action against him was taken on the directions of the state party president and senior leaders for violating party discipline and decisions of the MVA, the statement said.
The NCP (SP) is a constituent of the Opposition MVA along with the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Biennial elections are scheduled for five seats — three Graduates’ and two Teachers’ constituencies — in the 78-member Legislative Council. Polling will be held from 8 am to 4 pm on Friday (October 23), while counting of votes is scheduled for October 27.
(PTI News)
