Guwahati, Aug. 30: The ruling Congress today suspended its four legislators - Jayanta Malla Baruah, Pijush Hazarika, Pradan Baruah and Pallab Lochan Das - on charges of going to the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here on Friday to welcome Himanta Biswa Sarma and making alleged anti-party comments.

Five other MLAs - Binanda Saikia, Abu Taher Bepari, Bolin Chetia, Kripanath Mallah and Rajen Borthakur, have been issued showcause notices also for going to the airport to welcome Sarma.

"The MLAs will have to reply within 15 days," a party spokesperson said.

Asked why the five were only showcaused, the spokesperson said they went only to welcome Sarma, but did not make any anti-party comments.

Sarma formally joined the BJP on Friday afternoon.