Cricketer-turned-MP Kirti Azad suspended from BJP for dragging Arun Jaitley's name in the 'DDCA scam'

New Delhi: After taking on Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and dragging his name in the alleged corruption taking place in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) scam, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirti Azad has paid the price. Azad has been suspended from the BJP for anti-party activities, according to press release by the party. But the real reason behind the action is Azad taking on Jaitley by accusing corruption in the DDCA when the later was heading the cricket body.

Sources said, BJP chief Amit Shah had a meeting with the central leadership before issuing an official letter of Azad's suspension from the party. The Lok Sabha MP from Darbhanga in Bihar was not even issued a show cause notice or given any chance to explain his outburst before his suspension.

For the last few weeks BJP leaders were annoyed with Azad, for repeatedly raising the alleged DDCA scam issue both in and out Parliament and alleging Jaitley had the knowledge about the corruption taking place.

The Situation turned bitter after Azad went ahead with a press conference dragging Jaitley in the alleged DDCA scam and also making a small speech about the same in the Lok Sabha soon after the Finance Minister rubbished all the accusation. The BJP central leadership was very angry with Azad for reportedly turning down Shah's request to not take up the DDCA issue further.

They also suspect that Congress President Sonia Gandhi might have prompted Azad to rake up the issue. Jaitley had hinted that the cricketer-turned-politician (Azad) had met Congress President Sonia Gandhi to fix him in the case.

Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha had also backed Azad in the DDCA row while asking his party to refrain from a knee-jerk reaction against someone fighting against corruption.

Sinha said that Jaitley should follow BJP veteran LK Advani's example and work to come out clean on issue politically. "Kirti Azad- is hero of the day. Humble appeal to friends to avoid knee jerk reaction, coercive action against friend who's fighting against corruption. Have often quoted Newton's third Law. Feel that untimely action could boomerang. Sadly the party with a difference has become party with differences. As for Finance Minister, issue should be fought politically not legally. As advised by our dashing dynamic Prime Minister, our Finance Minister could follow LK Advaniji's example and come clean."