BJP expels 53 rebels

BJP expelled 53 rebel candidates, including five former ministers, for six years from the primary membership of the party, following their revolt against the party in the December one assembly elections in Rajasthan.

BJP on Friday expelled 53 rebel candidates, including five former ministers, for six years following their revolt against the party in the December one assembly elections in Rajasthan.

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"These 53 leaders have violated the party's directions and breached discipline by challenging official party candidates," BJP general secretary Onkar Singh Lakhawat told a press conference here.

The former ministers who were expelled are ram pratap kasania from Pilibanga, Harlal Khara from Srimadhopur, Vidhya Pathak from Sanganer, Achala Ram Meghwal from Desuri and Sujan Singh Yadav from Behror, he said.

BJP action committee convener Pratap Singh Khachariaws and Jaipur zilla Pramukh Madhu Sharma were also among those expelled, Lakhawat said.

When asked whether the party would accept them back if it was voted to power in the assembly elections, he said "it will be considered only then and there are some formalities to be observed."

He, however, claimed that the action against the rebels would have no impact on BJP's poll prospects.