The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken major action in the state ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra. The party has expelled 40 workers/leaders from 37 different assembly constituencies on charges of indiscipline.
This announcement of action by Maharashtra BJP has been made at a time when the Mahayuti alliance consisting of BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP has released its much-awaited manifesto, which presents a vision aimed at taking Maharashtra towards "unprecedented prosperity and development".
Rebels Increased BJP's Worries
Many leaders in the BJP are angry after they did not get tickets. The two biggest names among those who have opened a front against the party are Heena Gavit (Nandurbar) and AT Patil (Jalgaon). While Heena is contesting from Nandurbar, AT Patil is in the fray from Jalgaon.
BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Chandrashekar Bawankule have said that action will be taken against rebels after the elections. State BJP chief Bawankule said the party will crack the whip against rebels and suspend them for six years. "We will be closing the party's doors for them and they will be suspended for six years. This process is going on and we are doing an analysis of who left (rebels) and who all left with them. Subsequently, action will be taken," he said.
In poll-bound Jharkhand, the BJP has expelled 30 leaders from the party for contesting as Independent candidates against party nominees. All the rebel BJP leaders were expelled from the party for six years.
"Thirty rebel BJP leaders were expelled from the party for six years for filing nominations and contesting against the authorised candidates by defying the party's policies," the party said in a statement.