Shivpal Yadav expels Akhilesh's minister Pawan Pandey from party over tiff with Ashu Malik

MLC Ashu Malik had alleged that minister Pawan Pandey had beaten him up at the residence of Akhilesh Yadav.

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party UP chief Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday expelled Pawan Pandey, a minister in Akhilesh cabinet, from the party for six years over the allegation that he attacked party MLC Ashu Malik.

Yadav added that he, in his capacity as president of party's state unit, has also written a letter to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to sack Pawan Pandey from the council of ministers.

The Yadav strongman said that indiscipline and rowdyism will not be tolerated at any cost in the party.

Malik had alleged that Pandey had beaten him up at the residence of Akhilesh Yadav.

Ashu Malik, a supporter of state party chief Shivpal Yadav, alleged that he was slapped and beaten by Ayodhya legislator Pawan Pandey and another Akhilesh Yadav aide.

He said the attack took place when the Chief Minister was not present.

"When the CM arrived, he rescued me. I will always remain indebted to him for saving my life," a visibly shaken Malik said.

Malik was at the centre of a spat at a meeting earlier in the day when he was heckled on the stage when Akhilesh Yadav called him to explain an article published in an English daily.

An incensed Akhilesh Yadav had alleged that the article, in which he was likened to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, was planted at the behest of Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh.

Malik confessed that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav wanted him to expose the political conspiracy, but in the heat of the moment, he could not say anything (during the party meet) and this gave a wrong message to the supporters of the party present.