The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan expelled its former legislator Gyan Dev Ahuja, who was recently caught up in the temple "purification" controversy. Ahuja has been expelled from the primary membership of the party.
BJP's action against its former MLA comes after a probe by the its disciplinary committee, said the party order, reported PTI.
BJP state chief Madan Rathore gave the oreders to terminate Ahuja's primary membership of the party for "indiscipline," the order read.
Earlier this month, Ahuja sparked a row after he sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Alwar to "purify" it after Congress leader Tikaram Jully attended the consecration ceremony of the temple.
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'Propoganda By Congress'
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed Ahuja's action as an "insult" to a Dalit.
On Sunday, the former MLA appeared before the BJP's disciplinary committee to present his side. Later, talking to reporters, Ahuja claimed he did not do anything anti-Dalit.
He also slammed the BJP for expelling him saying that the party made a mistake by falling prey to propoganda of the Congress.
He accused Congress leaders, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, of defamation and added that he would file a case in this regard.
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'Congress Has No Moral Authority'
Following his act of temple "purification", Ahuja said that Congress leaders have "no moral authority" to attend such ceremonies as the party's leadership has questioned the existence of Lord Ram and "boycotted" the consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Temple last year.
He also claimed that there was no "anti-Dalit" angle to his act.
The consecration ceremony in question was held earlier this month at the Ram temple in a residential society of Alwar on the occasion of Ram Navami with Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Jully in attendance.