PATNA: Making clear their condemnation of the Congress high command's verdict to expel BPCC chief Ashok Choudhary, at least 26 of the 27 party MLAs leave out the function in which newly-appointed working president Kaukab Quadri assumed charge on Wednesday. This assumes significance as Choudhary needs the support of 18 MLAs to prevail over the anti-defection law.

While only MLA Siddharth was present at the event at state Congress HQ, at least 15 MLAs and MLCs visited Choudhary at his residence to express solidarity with him. "It would not be proper to reveal names of the MLAs who met Choudhary”.

Annoyed at his "hasty elimination", Choudhary told reporters that he never anticipated to be removed in this manner. "The unceremonious removal of a dalit person, whose two generations worked for growth of Congress in Bihar, is very insolent and unfortunate," he said.

Quadri said it was the same Congress which made ready him to be the party president and minister. Before assuming charge, Quadri called on Sadanand Singh, the Congress legislature party leader in assembly, at his residence. "Quadri is like my younger brother. The high command's decision to appoint him as working president will be honored," Singh said.

Quadri appealed to Congress leaders to drop their differences and make stronger the organization.