Former BJP MLA from Uttarakhand Suresh Rathore addressing a press conference with partner Urmila Sanawar.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Days after former MLA and BJP leader Suresh Rathore publicly announced marrying his long-time partner, Urmila Sanawar, without divorcing his wife Ravindra Kaur, the BJP’s Uttarakhand unit on Monday (June 23, 2025) issued a notice seeking his reply for the ‘indiscipline’.
Mr. Rathore’s alleged ‘second marriage’ came at a time when the State adopted Uniform Civil Code (UCC) earlier this year which has strict rules for matrimonial relationships.
BJP spokesperson Manvir Chauhan told The Hindu that the party had issued notice to Mr. Rathore after observing his undignified behaviour, especially through media and social media platforms.
“Your statements and conduct are damaging the party’s social and moral image. Your activities clearly fall under the ambit of party indiscipline,” the notice issued by BJP’s State general secretary Rajendra Bisht on June 23 reads.
The notice had directed Mr. Rathore to submit a written explanation within seven days.
According to informed sources, Mr. Rathore had already met party chief Mahendra Bhatt on Monday and submitted a written reply from his side. Mr. Chauhan refused to comment on the meeting but said the party would take a call on the notice after discussions with senior office-bearers.
Accepting his marriage with Ms. Sanawar, an actor, Mr. Rathore, at a press conference earlier this month, had said it took him long to decide the right time to open up about the relationship that had seen huge controversies in the past.
Mr. Rathore, who won from Jawalapur in 2017, lost election in 2022 to the Congress’s Ravi Bahadur. Prior to entering politics, he used to run a cult named ‘Ravidas Akhara’.
Attacking the BJP leader and the ruling party, Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni questioned the action taken by the government against him under the UCC law that banned polygamy and individuals in such marriages could face punishments such as a jail term of up to six months and a fine of up to ₹50,000.
Published – June 24, 2025 10:27 pm IST
