2 BJP rebels face axe in UP, 8 others pardoned

While speaking to The Indian Express over the telephone tonight, Tandon said the eight MLAs who have been pardoned include Mayankeshwar Singh, Ram Pratap Singh, Anil Kumar Verma, Dayashankar Verma, Badshah Singh, Gunga Bux Singh, Narendra Verma and Chandrakant Mani Singh.

‘‘They have all met me, reposed their full faith in the party and have offered to abide by its rules,’’ he said.

Ganga Bhakt Singh and Shiva Kant Ojha, two other rebel MLAs were not listed for disqualification proceedings.

Ganga Bhakt Singh, who headed the BJP Bachao Samiti, retraced his steps on January 5. One of the most vociferous of the rebels, Singh had said the BJP had become ‘‘the most corrupt party’’.

Ganga Bhakt Singh had alleged that money changed hands during the expansion of the state Cabinet. He had also called Tandon a ‘‘liar’’, who was ‘‘minting money’’ and was ‘‘neck-deep in corruption’’.

Singh later announced in Tandon’s presence at his residence that he had no complaints against the party leadership as Tandon had undertaken to sort out all issues — the insult of party workers, lack of development in their constituencies and the dipping popularity of the party. He said, ‘‘Tandon is my younger brother. I have no grouse against him. I never said the BJP is a corrupt party.’’

‘‘There was some confusion regarding the Cabinet expansion but we will sort that out,’’ he added, asserting that he had never left the party.

Tandon acknowledged that some complaints of the rebels were genuine.

He also expressed hope that Singh ‘‘would forgive me for my mistakes, if I have made any.’’