Bharatiya Janata Party chief JP Nadda on Tuesday removed Anupam Hazra from his position as the party’s national secretary with immediate effect days, reported PTI.

This came two days after Hazra accused BJP leaders of siphoning off funds in the name of Gita Path, a religious congregation where nearly 1 lakh citizens collectively chanted verses from the Gita in Kolkata, reported India Today.

“Some VIP passes were made for the Gita Path for some VIP people,” claimed a post reshared by Hazra. “It was given to block-level leaders of the BJP to be given to some people. However, in Birbhum’s Nalhati, these cards are being sold for Rs 1,000.”

He described it as an act of “blasphemy” and questioned if “those making money in the name of Gita Path were real Hindus”.

In 2014, Hazra became the Bolpur MP on a Trinamool Congress ticket. However, he was expelled by the Trinamool Congress for anti-party activities in 2019 after which he joined the BJP. He was made a national secretary a year later.

Hazra was removed as the national secretary the same day Nadda and Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah visited Kolkata for political programmes.

In the past, Hazra has allegedly made statements deviating from the party line, reported NDTV. In September, the former BJP MP suggested that the Trinamool Congress leaders, who were expecting summons from the Central Bureau of Investigation or the Enforcement Directorate, should contact him to switch over to the BJP.

In a widely circulated video, Hazra could be seen saying, “If you feel shy to come forward and talk about joining the BJP, you can get in touch with me and tell me your wish. We will see how your services can be used for the party.”

The BJP’s state unit had distanced itself from these comments.