Friday, July 1 2005 19:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader from West Bengal Tapan Sikdar was today (July 1, 2005) suspended from the party for "breach of discipline" and served a show cause notice as to why he should not be expelled from the party.

However, the former Union Minister termed the action as "unconstitutional" saying only the Central leadership could take action against him.

Sikdar, a former State president who had serious differences with the State leadership on the issue of running party affairs, was suspended with immediate effect for "breach of discipline" by Vice-President of the State unit G D Beriwala in the absence of State President Tathagata Roy.

BJP sources in Kolkata said the party high command has been appraised of the action against Sikdar.

The party vice-president in his letter to Sikdar, a copy of which was given to the media, show caused him asking him why he should not be expelled from the party. Sikdar was given ten days time to "explain his conduct".

Beriwala said that complaints had been received against Sikdar for "intentionally issuing statements to the media against State BJP president and the State committee."

"The statements have damaged the party's image and created confusion in the minds of the people. Sikdar has also been visiting different districts of the State holding meetings under the party banner without taking the leadership into confidence," he said.

Describing the action against him as "unconstitutional", Sikdar said the State Vice-President, "Has no power" to suspend him from the party. "Even the State President cannot suspend me. They can at best recommend initiation of action against me to the party high command."