The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled 42 of its members, including former Ajmer mayor Dharmendra Gehlot, for a period of six years. This decision comes as a response to their support for rebel candidates or their decision to stand as independents in the upcoming first phase of Rajasthan’s urban local body elections. The expulsions were announced on Wednesday, highlighting the party’s strict stance against dissent ahead of the crucial elections.
Former councillors Harishankar Bohra, Dinesh Kanwat and Raju Agarwal are among those expelled in Jaipur. BJP Scheduled Caste wing state vice-president Mukesh Kirad has also been expelled. The first phase covers municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipalities in cities including Jaipur. The move came weeks after student protests over examination irregularities forced the then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign in July.
Rajasthan, where power has alternated between the BJP and the Congress every five years since 1993, is due to go to the assembly polls in 2028. BJP state general secretary Shravan Singh Bagdi issued the expulsion orders on Monday night on the instructions of state president Madan Rathore, saying the 42 were found guilty of indiscipline. Jaipur accounts for the highest number of expulsions (26). As many as 13 functionaries were expelled in Jaipur’s Vidyadhar Nagar assembly constituency alone. Elections to all 309 urban local bodies are being conducted in two phases, with the second phase of polling scheduled for Friday. Results will be announced on September 14.
The Congress last week launched the “Gen-Z for Change” campaign and constituted a state-level Professional Gen-Z Committee ahead of local polls.
Congress Party Issues Ultimatum to Rebels in Rajasthan Elections
Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara has issued a stern warning to party rebels during the nomination withdrawal period. He stated that any member contesting against the official party candidate will face disciplinary action, which could include a six-year expulsion from the party.
Amin Kagzi, who leads the Congress disciplinary committee for the upcoming civic elections, noted that no formal complaints have been filed against the rebels as of now. However, he assured that disciplinary measures would be taken if any complaints are submitted.
Reports indicate that over 100 Congress rebels are running in the elections in Jaipur, yet the party has not yet acted against them.
