Bhopal: The state BJP on Friday issued notice to ex-minister Kamal Patel asking him to show cause as to why he spoke against his party’s government from public platforms instead of raising the issues on party fora. Patel filed a petition in the central bench of the NGT on Thursday alleging that illegal mining was rampant in his home district Harda. The party notice gave him 7 days to reply in person. However, wasting no time, Patel immediately rushed to the state BJP headquarters where he discussed the issue with state office in-charge Ajay Pratap Singh.
The notice says that if his reply is not found satisfactory, he may be suspended from the primary membership of the party. The notice charges Patel with making baseless and unwarranted statements against the BJP government and the administration in a well-planned manner and says that his statements have hurt the image of the government. Patel, however, has, so far, said nothing against the party but only sniped at the administration and the police. Patel opened a front against the government on the issue of illegal mining and has decidedly embarrassed the government.
His son Sudeep Patel was externed from the Harda district by the district magistrate Shrikant Banot two days back. Banot was transferred to Bhopal the very next day. It was believed that the transfer would bring down curtain on the controversy. However, that did not happen. And the notice may only worsen the things.
