Just hours after publicly thanking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his “zero-tolerance” policies that she said helped deliver justice in her long-standing case, Samajwadi Party MLA Pooja Pal was expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

Speaking in the state assembly, Pal praised the Chief Minister’s tough stance on crime in Prayagraj and credited him with taking action against criminals like Atiq Ahmed, whom she holds responsible for her husband’s murder.

“I want to thank the Chief Minister for giving me justice when no one else listened,” she said during the session.

But her remarks didn’t sit well with her own party. Within hours, the Samajwadi Party issued an official letter, signed by SP National President Akhilesh Yadav and dated August 14, 2025, announcing her expulsion. The letter cited “anti-party activities” and “serious indiscipline” as the grounds for her removal.

The party said Pal had previously been warned but continued actions that caused “considerable harm to the party.” As a result, she has been removed from all party positions and will not be allowed to attend any SP events or meetings going forward.

Her comments triggered sharp criticism from within the party ranks.

Chief Whip Kamaal Akhtar called her statement a personal opinion and said that if she disagreed with the party’s stance, she should have stepped down earlier.

Meanwhile, UP Minister JPS Rathore backed Pal’s sentiments, applauding the Chief Minister’s role in ensuring justice for her after years of alleged inaction and suffering tied to gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed.