Patna, April 24: The JDU, in its first step after chief minister Nitish Kumar became its national president, today suspended its Rajya Sabha MP Anil Sahani.

Confirming the suspension, the party's national spokesperson, K.C. Tyagi, said the MP had failed to satisfy the party and the Rajya Sabha chairman in his explanation. "The parliamentary board of the party has decided to suspend him with immediate effect," said Tyagi, while talking to The Telegraph.

Sahani landed in trouble after April 16, when Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President Hamid Ansari gave approval to the CBI to prosecute him in the fake leave travel concession scam. Sahni was charged with drawing Rs 23.71 lakh on the basis of false travel bills. The matter first came up in 2013. After the chairman of the Rajya Sabha gave his nod, the JDU issued a showcause to him.

The chief minister had spoken to Sahani and advised him to resign from the House stressing that it would be "good for him and the party". However, Sahni has refused to oblige, stating that he was a victim of a "political conspiracy" and that he was actually the whistleblower of the episode.

Sahani, who hails from the Extremely Backward Classes category, tenure lasts till 2018.

Sources said the party might seek his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha, as five of its MPs are scheduled to retire this year and it is in a position to nominate only two. "Had Sahani quit on his own, it would have eased political pressure," said a senior JDU leader.