The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled Nazir Ahmad Laway, a Rajya Sabha MP, for anti-party activities. In a statement released today, a party spokesperson said the decision to expel Mr Laway hadbeen taken after he attended the swearing-in of Girish Chandra Murmu, the newly-appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, thereby undermining PDP leadership which has been at odds with the centre ever since it announced withdrawal of special status under Article 370 and the splitting of the former state into two Union Territories.

Mr Laway's party chief - Mehbooba Mufti - has been heldunder detention by the centre since August 4, as part of a widespread securitylockdown designed to quell backlash against the move. A delegation of PDP leadershad been given permission to visit her but that permission was revoked afterthe proposed visit was deferred following differences between leaders.

"The Member of Rajya Sabha Mr. Nazir Ahmed Laway has been expelled from the basic membership of the party," the spokespersonsaid, adding that Mr Laway's participation in the Srinagar event was incontravention of the party's stand regarding the current political situationand revocation of Article 370.

This is not the first time that Nazir Ahmad Laway has beenseen to have acted against directives and instructions from senior PDP leaders.

In July, Mr Laway and his party colleague, Fayaz Ahmad Mir,abstained from voting on the controversial 'Triple Talaq' bill, which sailedthrough the opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha aided by a series of walkouts andabstentions, including those by the two PDP MPs.

Ms Mufti had been openly critical of the bill, which endsthe practice of Muslim men instantly divorcing their wives by uttering"talaq" thrice, and had expressed her disappointment at her MPsfailing to vote against it.