Madhya Pradesh BJP Suspends 6, Gives Notice To Ex-Minister Over Bypoll Defeat

BJP candidate had alleged that "massive internal sabotage" by Jayant Malaiya (74) and others had led to his defeat.

After facing defeat in Damoh Assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP's state unit has issued a show-cause notice to former minister Jayant Malaiya for indulging in "anti-party activities" and suspended the primary membership of his son and five mandal presidents, a party functionary said on Saturday. The Congress on Sunday retained the Damoh Assembly seat with the party candidate Ajay Tandon defeating his former colleague and nearest BJP rival Rahul Singh Lodhi by a margin of 17,097 votes. Mr Lodhi had later alleged that "massive internal sabotage" by Mr Malaiya (74) and others had led to his defeat. Talking about the action taken against them, state BJP media in-charge Lokendra Parashar said, "As per the directives of MP BJP president V D Sharma, the party's state unit on Friday served a show-cause notice to former minister Jayant Malaiya, seeking clarification for the anti-party activities during Damoh bypoll."