Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has expelled Samajwadi Party leader Rajesh Masala for his anti-party activities.
Masala, who was party's nominee from Amethi in 2007 Assembly polls, was expelled from the party for six years on Saturday. Yadav, who is also the state party chief, ordered the expulsion.
According to local MLA and Cabinet minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, "Masala had garlanded BJP leader Nitin Gadkari when he was in Amethi district during the Lok Sabha polls."
"Anyone found indulging in anti-party acts will be dismissed from the party," he said.
Responding to the expulsion, Masala said, "SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav is like my father and he had asked me to join politics."
Masala is a trader and known for his 'Rajesh Masala' brand of spices.