Daniel Andrews’ former adviser Vinayak Kolape was told to stay away from Kaushaliya Vaghela

A former Labor staffer remained employed by the Premier’s office for months while facing explosive bullying claims.

The adviser at the centre of an ALP bullying claim remained employed by Daniel Andrews’ office for almost six months after a formal written complaint about his behaviour was lodged.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal Vinayak Kolape, a former adviser to the Premier, was given other office duties and told to stay away from complainant MP Kaushaliya Vaghela.

But he remained employed by the Premier’s office until November 3 last year, almost six months after the written complaint was lodged by Ms Vaghela on May 16.

Labor sources claim the former adviser has this week confided to associates that the bullying allegations had nothing to do with his sacking.

Vinayak Kolape is a former adviser to Daniel Andrews. Picture: Facebook

However the Saturday Herald Sun has confirmed the bullying allegations were central to his termination of employment.

Mr Kolape told the Saturday Herald Sun this week he vehemently denied “each and every allegation” made by Ms Vaghela.

Ms Vaghela has accused Mr Kolape, and a number of his associates, of threatening, intimidating, and harassing her after she defected to the party’s Right faction.

“They wanted to break me mentally, physically, and psychologically,” she told the Saturday Herald Sun.

“They thought if they did this I would get tired and walk away, they wanted me to walk away. I was determined not to.”

Kaushaliya Vaghela says Mr Kolape and associates threatened and intimidated her. Picture: David Caird

In her formal written complaint Ms Vaghela said she feared for her safety.

“Vinayak in collaboration with this gang actively sidelines me, undermines my role in the Indian community, defames me and my husband, excludes me from events – and his gang surrounds me at events which is a constant harassment to me,” she wrote.

“Everyone knows that Vinayak’s real job is to undermine me to such an extent, that I walk away from the role of MP.”

Following the written complaint Ms Vaghela met with senior Premier’s office staff on June 8 to discuss her concerns further.

She was accompanied by fellow MPs Sarah Connolly and Natalie Hutchins.

“I want to assure you that Mr Kolape has been asked to not attend any community events,” she wrote.

“Further, I can confirm that Mr Kolape has been instructed not to engage with the Indian or other South Asian communities until further notice, and that he should instead fulfil other duties within the office.”

A government spokesperson said as soon as the formal complaint was received, Mr Kolape was asked not to attend any further community events, while the complaint was processed.

“Once a formal complaint was lodged, it was investigated and upheld and the staff member was fired,” she said.