The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken disciplinary action against eight of its members, expelling them for a period of six years for contesting the Ambala Municipal Corporation elections against the party's official candidates. The decision was announced by the party's Haryana unit on Tuesday, citing violations of party discipline and anti-party activities.
Details of the Expulsion
The expelled members include former councillors and party workers who filed their nominations as independent candidates or from other political parties, directly opposing the BJP's chosen candidates in the recently concluded municipal polls. The party's disciplinary committee, after reviewing the complaints and evidence, found them guilty of undermining the party's interests and violating the party constitution.
Names of Expelled Members
According to a statement issued by the BJP Haryana office, the expelled individuals are: Rajesh Sharma, Sunita Devi, Vikram Singh, Anil Kumar, Poonam Rani, Manoj Kumar, Sushma Gupta, and Ravi Dutt. They have been barred from holding any party position or participating in party activities for the next six years.
Reason for Action
The BJP leadership emphasized that maintaining discipline is paramount for the party's functioning. Contesting against official candidates is considered a serious offense as it can split the party's vote bank and damage its electoral prospects. The party has a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts of indiscipline, which is why strict action has been taken.
Impact on Party
The expulsions are seen as a move to send a strong message to other members about the consequences of defying party directives. The Ambala Municipal Corporation elections witnessed a multi-cornered contest, and the BJP had fielded candidates in all wards. The rebel candidates, though not winning, managed to secure a significant number of votes, which could have affected the party's overall performance.
Reactions from Expelled Members
Some of the expelled members have expressed disappointment, claiming that they were denied tickets despite their long association with the party. They argue that the party did not consider their contributions and that they were forced to contest as independents to serve the public. However, the party maintains that the decision to deny tickets was based on merit and electoral viability.
Previous Instances
This is not the first time the BJP has taken such action. In the past, several members have been expelled for similar reasons in other states. The party's disciplinary mechanism is designed to ensure loyalty and adherence to party lines, especially during elections.
The expelled members can appeal against the decision within 30 days, as per party rules. However, unless the decision is overturned, they will remain out of the party's fold for six years.
