JAIPUR: BJP on Friday suspended its Rajasthan MLA Prahalad Gunjal, who was allegedly caught on tape threatening and abusing a health official over the transfer of a male nurse.
In the eye of a storm for his alleged threats to Kota district CMHO R N Yadav, Gunjal expressed regret even as the medical officer applied for voluntary retirement protesting against "mental harassment" over the issue.
"As per the direction of party President Amit Shah, Kota (North) MLA Prahalad Gunjal is suspended with immidiate effect," BJP said in a statement.
In a note sent to the state BJP president Ashok Parnami and the Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Gunjal tried to control damage by expressing regret and and claiming it was an "emotional outburst".
"I used some words which were not to be used. If my words have hurt anyone, or caused agony to anyone, then I regret it," Gunjal said.
"I have sent the letter of apology to the state party president, state chief minister and also the doctors' unions and sought apology for my words and language," he told PTI.
Parnami said that the state unit had received the MLA's explanation last night and forwarded it to the party's parliamentary board which after reviewing the entire episode took the decision to suspend him.
Parnami said the matter will now be referred to the disciplinary committee of the party which will decide the future course of action.