Six-Year Suspension For Karnataka MLAs Over Defiance Of BJP Line

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed two sitting MLAs in Karnataka, S.T. Somashekhar and A. Shivaram Hebbar, for six years on Tuesday, claiming repeated anti-party activity and a breach of discipline.

B.Y. Vijayendra, BJP Karnataka state president, confirmed the decision, saying the expulsion came after protracted deliberations within the party's high command. The move comes after the central disciplinary committee considered their responses to a showcause notice issued on March 25 to be unacceptable.

S.T. Somashekhar and Shivaram Hebbar are senior political figures in Karnataka. Somashekhar represents the Yeshwanthpur constituency in Bengaluru, while Hebbar is the legislator from Yellapur in Uttara Kannada district.

Both MLAs were once key players in the 2019 political upheaval in the state, when they were part of the rebel group that toppled the Congress-JD(S) coalition government by switching their allegiance to the BJP. However, recent media reports have highlighted their growing proximity to Congress-led events and their public expressions of support for Karnataka's ruling party, which led to mounting concerns within the BJP over their loyalty.

Citing repeated instances of indiscipline and actions detrimental to the party's interests, the BJP formally expelled both leaders. Vijayendra noted that the party had given them an opportunity to explain their conduct, but the explanations provided were deemed insufficient, resulting in their six-year suspension.

This expulsion underscores the BJP's firm stance on party discipline and its unwillingness to tolerate defiance from within its ranks, especially from senior legislators with a history of switching allegiances.