BHIWANDI: The Samajwadi Party’s Bhiwandi city unit has issued a show-cause notice to party MLA Rais Sheikh, accusing him of anti-party activities and indiscipline, triggering fresh signs of internal rift within the party.Bhiwandi city president Anas Ansari, in the notice, alleged that Sheikh had violated the party constitution, discipline and official directives on multiple occasions. The notice claims that the MLA made public statements against the party leadership and engaged in activities that undermined party unity.Referring to the recent Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation elections, the party alleged that Sheikh was seen actively campaigning for candidates of the Indian National Congress, which it termed a serious breach of party discipline. It further stated that multiple complaints were received from party workers and office bearers, claiming his conduct created confusion among cadres and adversely affected the party’s political interests in Bhiwandi.The notice warns that such actions could invite strict disciplinary measures, including suspension or expulsion from the party. Sheikh has been given 14 days to submit a written explanation, failing which the party has said it will initiate appropriate action without further communication.Sheikh, however, denied the allegations. “I haven’t received any such show-cause notice. I only saw it on social media and the allegations made in it are baseless,” he told TOI.Party sources indicated that the development comes amid ongoing differences between Sheikh and state party president Abu Asim Azmi. Sources claimed that during the civic polls, Sheikh stayed away from campaigning for Samajwadi Party candidates and was instead seen supporting candidates from Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, even appearing on their campaign posters.
