BJP expels senior leader Jaswant Singh for six years

NEW DELHI: The BJP, on Saturday, expelled senior leader Jaswant Singh for a period of six years. This is the second time that the former Union minister has been expelled by the party. In 2009, he had been expelled from the party for praising the founder of Pakistan in his book ‘Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence’.
The decision to expel Singh, 76, for six years was taken by BJP president Rajnath Singh, a party statement said.
The party expelled another rebel leader Subhash Maharia, former Union minister, who is contesting as an independent in Sikar constituency, also in Rajasthan, against BJP's official nominee.
Sources indicate that Singh has been expelled from the party because as per BJP constitution, any partyman contesting against the official candidate is liable to be expelled.
“Jaswant Singh has exhausted all constitutional options available to the party by deciding not to withdraw from the contest,” a senior leader said.
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Meanwhile, BJP’s Rajasthan state unit also said it is mulling disciplinary action against its rebel leaders, including Singh and Subhas Maharia.
BJP state president Ashok Parnami, without naming Singh or Maharia, had said that the party’s disciplinary committee would serve notices to all rebel candidates and they could be expelled from the party for six years.
“We have sought details about all such rebel candidates which will be referred to our disciplinary committee, which will take action against them as per the party rules. Rebels are expelled from the party for six years,” Parnami told reporters.
Former Union ministers Singh and Maharia filed their nominations as independent candidates from Barmer and Sikar parliamentary constituencies respectively, after BJP denied them tickets.
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(With inputs from PTI)