BJP expels 11 leaders in Punjab ahead of civic polls

, Jun 3: Cracking the whip against dissidents, the

's

unit on Sunday expelled 11 leaders who were contesting against party candidates in civic polls due this month. The leaders have been shown the door for indulging in anti-party activities, according to a BJP release here.

Those who have been expelled include Vipul Mehra of Ward no. 8, Nitu Mahajan and Pappu Mahajan of Ward no. 9, Arun Puppal of Ward no. 46 and Manju Puppal of Ward no. 47 in Amritsar. State BJP chief Ashwani Sharma also expelled Amar Chand Dabbi of Ward no. 34 from the party for contesting as an Independent against the party's official candidates in Patiala Municipal Corporation. Sharma has warned that any other BJP worker found campaigning against the party contestants would also be expelled. BJP is part of the ruling alliance in Punjab with SAD.

Congress, which is in the opposition, is also facing challenges from rebels in the civic polls. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh had on Sunday appealed to all those party workers contesting against the official candidates in the civic elections in Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar to withdraw, lest the party is forced to take strict action against them.

PTI