UP BJP issues showcause notice to its Sitapur MLA

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh on Thursday served a showcause notice to party’s Sitapur Sadar MLA Rakesh Rathore a day after an audio clip of the BJP MLA pooh-poohing PM Narendra Modi’s recent call to light up lamps and beat plates, surfaced on social media.
Singh said that the party was receiving complaints about Rathore being involved in anti-party activities. He said that the legislator has been asked to give a reply within a week.
The BJP brass was left red faced after an audio clip of Rathore allegedly ridiculing the steps taken by the government to combat the Corona pandemic, went viral.In the audio clip, Rathore is allegedly speaking to a local BJP leader from Badaun, JP Sahu and terms PM’s call asking people to clap and clang bells and plates, as completely wrong.
In the beginning of the conversation, Sahu speaks about issuance of a licence. He does not makes a mention about the type of licence and for what purpose he seeks. To this, Rathore reportedly says that no licences are being issued. He allegedly tells Sahu that even if any licence were to be issued, then it would have been only for upper caste people. He then, reportedly, asks Sahu not to be a 'Bhakt'.