Why was no show-cause notice issued to Hegde before his expulsion?
Why was no show-cause notice issued to Hegde before his expulsion?
As the president of the party, I am the competent authority to take the decision to expel him, which I did in consultation with senior leaders.
Did you consult V.P. Singh?
I told you that I spoke to the senior leaders. V.P. Singhji is not involved in the day-to-day running of the Janata Dal.
Some leaders are reported to be unhappy with the decision and there is a suggestion that the Political Affairs Committee should have met to discuss the issue...
There is no unhappiness; Hegde was expelled on the basis of Ibrahim's letter detailing his anti-party activities. I have read such things only in the newspapers. All leaders will issue rejoinders to these statements if they have made them, otherwise I will take action. How can we expect discipline from the workers if senior leaders flout norms?
That is why I expelled Hegde though I have nothing personal against him. I intend to usher an era of discipline in the JD.
What was Deve Gowda's role?
I kept Gowdaji informed. But Hegde was expelled because his acts of indiscipline reached a crescendo when Deve Gowda was elected Prime Minister. Senior leaders had reasoned with him earlier but this was too much—opposing a candidate from his own state and a farmer's son at that. The JD has a maximum number of MPs from Bihar, but we never created such a ruckus when Gowdaji was nominated the UF's prime ministerial candidate.
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