Chhattisgarh BJP state president Vikram Usendi has expelled controversial leader Manturam Pawar from the primary membership of party on charges of anti-party activities on Tuesday. The expulsion has come into force with immediate effect.

The action against Pawar came days after he had recorded his statement before the judicial magistrate first class (JFMC) under section 164 of CrPC leveling allegations against the former chief ministers Raman Singh and Ajit Jogi besides former minister Rajesh Munat, Amit Jogi and others in the 2014 Antagarh assembly by-polls.

Pawar admitted in the court that he was pressurised for Rs 7 crore deal to pull out from the electoral fray as the Congress   candidate at the last moment to allow the BJP candidate a complete walkover.

He had alleged that deal was fixed at the bungalow of the then PWD minister Rajesh Munat, who had given the amount to Ameen Menon and Firoze Siddiquie.

Meanwhile, commenting on expulsion of controversial leader Manturam Pawar from BJP, Congress on Tuesday said there was no place in BJP for person like Manturam who speaks the truth.

In a statement, Congress state general secretary and chairman communication wing Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said, Rs Rs as long as Manturam worked according to instructions of  leaders of BJP and its ‘B’ team Janta Congress Chhattisgarh – Jogi (JCC-J) he was welcomed. Just after he spoke his mind and bared the truth on the Antagarh tapes case, he was thrown out from the party’’.

Regarding question of  possibility of Manturam rejoining Congress, Trivedi said he (Manturam) was not in touch with Congress. 

‘‘We have not received any application from him (Manturam) regarding his intent to join Congress’’, he remarked.