LSP's MP unit President removed

Bhopal, Oct 9(UNI) Loktantrik Samajwadi Party President Raghu Thakur has removed Mr Shambhu Dayal Baghel from the post of the party's Madhya Pradesh unit President for his 'involvement' in attempting to offer bribe of Rs 50,000 to senior IPS officer Vijay Raman here on Saturday.

''Mr Baghel was suspended from the party and a show cause notice given to him for his expulsion from LSP. Mr Shyam Sunder Yadav was appointed Acting President of the party's state unit'', Mr Thakur said in a statement at a news conference here today.

Stating that ''he was much pained at the shameful incident'', Mr Thakur said Mr Raman symbolised honesty.

Clarifying his role in the incident, the Socialist leader said on the request of Gwalior's Baghel community leaders, who claimed Man Singh Baghel was framed in a dowry death case, he had phoned Mr Raman to help Baghel. Shambhu Dayal Baghel was also sent along with Man Singh to hand over an application to Mr Raman, he said.

''It was surprising and unthinkable that an attempt was made to offer bribe to a honest officer. It is a serious offence.'', Mr Thakur said.

He congratulated Mr Raman for getting both arrested on the charge of attempting to offer a bribe.

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