Mumbai Congress suspends 79 for ‘anti-party activities’; some already in BJP, others threaten legal action

MUMBAI: Congress’s suspension of 79 office-bearers, including former corporators, for alleged anti-party activities has triggered fresh controversy, with some of those named having already joined the ruling party, resigned from Congress more than a year ago, or threatened to send legal notices to Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad for allegedly defaming them.

Most of these politicians left the party due to differences with the party leadership, including Varsha Gaikwad. A Congress insider said the expulsion decision was taken by the party’s administrative body and not by Gaikwad. The insider added that some of those expelled were trying to re-enter the party, and it was therefore decided to bar them from the party for six years, along with others who had left Congress.

Gaikwad said, “We have democracy in our party so we don’t mind them sending us their reply in whatever way. It’s the party’s internal affair and we will handle it.”

Among those expelled was former corporator Ravi Raja, who had already joined the

BJP.

Dharmesh Vyas, another name on the list, left the party last year and is now with the BJP. Vyas has threatened legal action against Varsha Gaikwad, saying he had already resigned from Congress and therefore could not be suspended. He alleged that the move was aimed at defaming him.

The Congress insider said many of these politicians had left the party by posting their resignations on social media or announcing them publicly, instead of submitting their resignations to the party office.

Congress said it followed the required procedure, including issuing show-cause notices before expelling them.

Raja, who was denied an MLA party ticket and was later refused a meeting in Delhi by Congress leader

Rahul Gandhi to raise his concerns against the Mumbai Congress leadership, left the party in 2024 and joined the BJP as its vice-president.

Raja said, “I even contested an election on BJP ticket from the Dharavi area. How can she (Gaikwad) be so ignorant? Senior leaders of the party sidelined us, which forced us to leave the Congress long ago. Now it’s nothing but a joke. I will send a notice to her.”