LUCKNOW, Oct. 24 -- Shamsuddin Raeen, 47, regarded as a key Muslim leader in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) who started as a booth worker at age 20, was expelled on Thursday as the party in charge of Lucknow and Kanpur divisions over alleged factionalism and indiscipline. Raeen had been appointed to the position just a day before, on Wednesday, raising questions over his sudden dismissal.

In an expulsion letter, BSP Uttar Pradesh president Vishwanath Pal stated that Raeen was consistently involved in factionalism and indiscipline despite multiple warnings. "Due to the lack of improvement in his behaviour and in the interest of the party and movement, BSP national president Mayawati has expelled him from the party," the letter added.

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