The Congress party has expelled Lakshman Singh, brother of senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, from the party's primary membership for a period of six years, effective immediately. The expulsion comes as a result of Singh's repeated public criticism of the party leadership and what the party deemed as "anti-party activities."

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) issued the order, stating that the decision was approved by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. According to the Congress, Singh's recent statements had severely tarnished the party's image, leaving no room for leniency.

Lakshman Singh, a former MLA and five-time MP from Madhya Pradesh, has been a vocal critic of the Congress party's leadership in recent times. He has openly questioned the maturity and leadership abilities of Rahul Gandhi, as well as criticizing Robert Vadra, Gandhi's brother-in-law.

Most recently, Singh stirred controversy during a condolence program following the Pahalgam terror attack. He publicly described Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra as 'immature'. He had further questioned the party's alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was linked to terrorists and that the Congress should immediately withdraw its support to his government. These statements drew sharp criticism from within the party.

The Disciplinary Committee issued a show-cause notice to Lakshman Singh on May 9, asking him to explain his remarks within ten days. However, the reply submitted by him failed to satisfy the party leadership, prompting the Committee to recommend strong disciplinary action.

This isn't the first time that Singh has caused embarrassment for the Congress. In the past, he has publicly supported the abrogation of Article 370, going against the party's official stance. He also demanded that Rahul Gandhi apologize for failing to fulfill the promise of waiving farmers' loans in Madhya Pradesh. In December 2023, he had questioned Rahul Gandhi's leadership, saying that he wasn't a big leader as is portrayed by the media, but was merely an MP like any other MP.

Despite the expulsion, Lakshman Singh has remained defiant, stating that his comments were intended as constructive criticism. He has also said that he is not afraid of speaking the truth, even if it means facing consequences from the party. "I'm not afraid of making the candid statements, if the party (Congress) wants, it can oust me, but I'll continue to speak candidly,” Singh had stated.

The expulsion has sparked speculation about Lakshman Singh's future political course. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have already expressed openness to his entry, with some calling his exit a result of long-standing suppression within the Congress. The BJP has also taken a jibe at Congress for expelling Mr. Singh from the party, saying that “This happens when a leader in Congress speaks the truth”.

The development has also cast a shadow over the internal dynamics of the Singh political family. With Lakshman Singh now removed from the Congress and Digvijaya Singh continuing as a key player in the party's national leadership, all eyes are on how this internal divide will play out in the state's politics.