Anil Vij issued show-cause notice by BJP over remarks against CM Saini, Haryana unit chief

Anil Vij is a minister in the Haryana cabinet and among the senior-most BJP MLAs in the state. (File Photo: PTI)

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Haryana cabinet minister Anil Vij has been issued a show-cause notice by the state unit of his party over his alleged remarks against Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as well as the president of the party's state unit Mohan Lal Badoli.

In the notice issued to Vij on Monday, the party cited his recent broadsides against the CM and the state party president. "These are serious allegations and it is against the party’s policies and internal discipline," the notice issued by Badoli read.

"Your step was not only against the BJP’s ideology, but was also taken at a time when the party was campaigning for elections in a neighbouring state (Delhi). You knew that such statements made during the elections despite holding a respectable ministerial post would damage the party’s image. Such an act is completely unacceptable," it added.

The notice further said that the action by the state unit has been taken in accordance with the directions issued by BJP president JP Nadda and sought a reply within three days.

A seven-time MLA, also the senior-most in the BJP, Vij faces action over his remarks alleging that "certain forces attempted to ensure his defeat" in the Ambala Cantonment constituency, where he won by over 7,200 votes in the Haryana Assembly elections last year.

Vij, who currently handles the energy, transport and labour portfolios in the Saini Cabinet, has been upset and adopted a harsh stand against bureaucrats -- even issuing suspension letters for their alleged "negligence".

Last month, as the CM toured Delhi campaigning for BJ candidates, Vij took a shot at Saini and suggested that he was ignorant of the sufferings of the people.

"Our CM never comes down from his flying chariot. Since the day he (Saini) became the CM, he has been flying. If he comes down to the ground, he would have heard the sufferings of the people. This is not just my voice – it is the voice of all MLAs, MPs, and ministers," Vij told reporters.

He further said that during the Haryana elections, a senior party leader tried to ensure his defeat and even orchestrated an assault on him.

"Within a week of winning the elections, I publicly raised the issue of those who played a role in trying to defeat me. They were officials, employees or minor political figures. Yet, no action was taken against them," he further alleged.

Vij also threatened to stage an agitation like farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and even took on state unit president Badoli after a gangrape case was registered against the latter and Rocky Mittal, a singer and ex-state BJP publicity cell chief, in Himachal Pradesh’s Kasauli. Both Badoli and Rocky Mittal have rejected such allegations against them.

"Badoli should resign from his post since the allegations against him are serious, Vij maintained, adding that he hoped the central leadership would take appropriate action against him.