Archana Gautam, model and former Bigg Boss 16 contestant, was expelled from the Congress on grounds of misconduct and indiscipline, a party letter has revealed. According to sources, Gautam was expelled in June this year, but the letter issued to her by the Congress went viral recently.
The reality show contestant, who won the title of Miss Bikini India 2018 and represented India at Miss Cosmos World 2018, had contested the 2022 Uttar Pradesh elections on a Congress ticket from Hastinapur constituency in Meerut, but received only 1,519 votes, forfeiting even her deposit.
Congress’s UP spokesperson Anshu Awasthi confirmed that Archana Gautam is no longer with the party told News18 that the decision has been taken by the party on the grounds of complaints received from the Meerut’s Congress Unit.
“She had no political background, yet the party trusted her, gave her respect and honour and fielded her from Hastinapur constituency. There were frequent complaints of misconduct and misbehaviour from the party workers in Meerut unit who stood by her and supported her in the 2022 Assembly elections. Hence, the party’s disciplinary committee has decided to expel Archana Guatam from the party,” he said.
The Congress letter said Gautam had been expelled for six years. Awasthi added that Gautam was issued a showcause notice prior to being expelled and was given a week’s time to respond. The notice said there were written complaints from party workers of the Meerut unit against her, alleging that she had not cleared dues of several vehicle owners whom she had hired for campaigning despite having party funds.
When the car owners did not receive payment despite repeated efforts, they filed a complaint with the party workers. The notice added that Gautam was also accused of misusing campaigning material and selling it later.
“However, she didn’t respond to the notice. When the complaints went up to Priyanka Gandhi, disciplinary action was initiated against Archana Gautam,” a party source said.
On September 30, 2023 Gautam had alleged that she and her father were manhandled during her visit to Congress headquarters in Delhi. Gautam, in her statement, said that she had visited the Congress office to extend wishes to the party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi in recognition of the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
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