Saturday, August 19 2006 10:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jaipur: Ten days after wielding the axe against former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, the Congress yesterday (Aug 18, 2006)suspended his son Jagat Singh, an MLA indicted by the Pathak Inquiry Authority in the oil-for-food scam, and served a show-cause notice asking to explain why he should not be expelled from the party.

Rajasthan Congress Committee President B D Kalla told reporters here that Jagat was suspended on the charges of misconduct, indiscipline and bringing disrepute to the party.

"It is clear from the circumstances set out by the Justice R S Pathak Inquiry Authority and the conclusion by it that you are actively involved through your father in promoting the business interest of your cousin Mr Andaleeb Sehgal and that you had full knowledge of the nature of the transaction and that you used your father as Chairman, Foreign Affairs Department of AICC to help Sehgal receive favour from Iraqi authorities," Kalla said in a letter to Jagat.

"Apart from misusing your official position in the party to promote business interest of Mr Sehgal, you have also indulged in carrying out anti-party activities by criticising the party and senior leaders of the party publicly in various interviews, comments and statements, and have brought disrepute to the party," Kalla said.

The PCC chief said Jagat has been asked to explain within 14 days why he should not be removed from the party for six years.

Congress had earlier this month suspended Natwar Singh from the party and issued him a show-cause for allegedly misusing his position to get oil contracts.