Srinagar: On the suggestion of advocate Sunil Sethi, Chairman of the disciplinary committee of Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party on Tuesday suspended its Pulwama District President, Er Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi pending inquiry against him in connection with the the FIR registered against him in an extortion case.
A BJP statement said that on the suggestion of advocate Sunil Sethi and in consultation with Sat Sharma, MP and Jammu and Kashmir BJP President, and Mohammad Anwar Khan, J&K BJP General Secretary, disciplinary proceedings have been started against Er Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi.
The statement also added that till completion of the inquiry against him, Er Syed Showkat Andrabi has been suspended from the BJP in view of the FIR of extortion registered against him.
The statement said that BJP reiterates its commitment of maintaining highest standards of discipline, integrity and morality in public life.
Prior to Tuesday’s disciplinary action, J&K BJP unit has suspended nine local functionaries and removed them from their posts on August 7, 2026, following an unauthorised rally in Anantnag on August 5 that featured derogatory and ‘anti-women’ slogans regarding the abrogation of Article 370.
The BJP leadership said that the Anantnag procession was neither authorised nor organised by the Union Territory’s party unit.
Party leaders, including J&K General Secretary Ashok Koul and spokesperson Altaf Thakur, publicly distanced the organisation from the objectionable remarks.
Nine local office-bearers, including district and constituency functionaries from Anantnag, Shangus, and Pahalgam had their primary memberships suspended pending further inquiry.
Mainstream political parties in the Valley heavily criticised the slogans, calling them an insult to the dignity of Kashmiri women.
National Conference leaders demanded formal police FIRs against the individuals involved.
In response, the suspended BJP members countered by issuing public apologies while alleging that their suspension was part of an internal party dispute after they raised corruption complaints against the party’s local leadership.
(IANS)
