BSP expels 'abducted' BSP leader on his return and withdraws ticket

On Saturday, Mohammad Arif, who was earlier declared Bahujan Samaj Party's candidate from Budhana Assembly constituency, returned mysteriously five days after his "abduction" and found himself expelled from the party and his ticket withdrawn.

"Mohd Arif has not only been denied party ticket but has also been expelled from the party by the party president Mayawati," BSP national general secretary Naseemuddin Siddiqui said.

Arif reappeared in Panipat on late night 16 July as mysteriously as he had disappeared five days ago leading to protests and road blocks. Arif claims that he had gone away due to a family discord. However, speculations are rife that he returned after paying a ransom of Rs 2 crore to the abductors.

"His personal matters should not reflect on the party.. this action of his has also earned a bad name for the party and he can do the same future too...How will he fight elections...He has been expelled," Siddiqui said.

BSP had decided to field the 40-year-old Delhi-based businessman from Budhana constituency in the 2017 Assembly polls.

Arif had gone missing on 12 July in Meerut district while he was on his way to Muzaffarnagar from Delhi.

His family members complained that he had left for Muzaffarnagar in his car with Rs 10 lakh cash but when he did not reach his native place, they called on his mobile phone but he did not receive it.

Later, the family members launched a search and his car was found parked in Meerut, locked from inside.

Arif's family members had suspected that a former BSP candidate from Budhana, Naeem, was behind the abduction.

Arif's supporters and family members also blocked Karnal-Meerut Highway at Ghari Sakhwat village here for few hours to protest against his disappearance and the traffic resumed on the road after police pacified the protesters.

-With inputs from PTI