Facing open rebellion ahead of the Dharamsala and Solan Municipal Corporation elections, the BJP has expelled nine leaders for contesting against officially authorised party candidates, laying bare growing factionalism within the ruling party over ticket distribution.
The disciplinary action came amid mounting dissent from disgruntled aspirants who entered the electoral fray as independents after being denied party tickets. In Dharamsala, five leaders were expelled late Saturday after BJP state president Rajeev Bindal approved action on the recommendations of the party’s disciplinary committee and complaints from district and block units.
In Solan, four rebel leaders were suspended from the party’s primary membership on Sunday after efforts by former BJP state chief Suresh Kashyap to persuade them to withdraw from the contest failed.
Among those expelled in Dharamsala are former mayor Onkar Nehria from Ward No. 2, former deputy mayor Tajinder Kaur from Ward No. 6, Dharamsala Urban Block president Saroj Guleria from Ward No. 8, former booth president Mitul Shukla from Ward No. 14 and Mahila Morcha Urban Block secretary Himanshi Aggarwal from Ward No. 1.
In Solan, those expelled include Gaurav Rajput, Mandal co-incharge of the BJP IT department from Ward No. 3, Rajni Rajput, state executive member of BJP Mahila Morcha, along with Rampal and Mukesh Verma from Ward No. 7.
The rebellion has emerged as a significant challenge for the BJP leadership in two politically important urban centres of Himachal Pradesh. Several rebel candidates enjoy strong grassroots support and organisational influence, raising concerns within the party about division of votes and possible damage to official BJP nominees.
Political observers believe the presence of rebel BJP candidates could alter electoral equations in multiple wards by splitting the party’s traditional vote bank. In several constituencies, the contests have turned triangular rather than direct BJP-versus-Congress battles, complicating the party’s electoral calculations.
Former Dharamsala mayor Onkar Nehria, reacting to the expulsion, hinted at ideological differences within the party. He alleged that after the entry of leaders with a “different ideology”, the BJP had begun resembling the Congress. “The people of Bhagsu will decide whether they support the party or not,” he said.
Former deputy mayor Tajinder Kaur also expressed disappointment over her treatment within the organisation. Maintaining that she remained a committed BJP worker, she said she had been ignored and sidelined during the past few years despite her loyalty to the party.
The internal dissent has surfaced at a politically sensitive time for the BJP, which is already facing criticism from opposition parties over civic issues, infrastructure concerns and alleged shortcomings in the implementation of the Smart City project in Dharamsala.
Congress leaders have seized upon the rebellion to sharpen their attack on the BJP, describing it as a divided party struggling with internal infighting and dissatisfaction among its cadre.
Despite the controversy, BJP leaders defended the expulsions, saying strict disciplinary action was necessary to maintain organisational discipline and prevent indiscipline during elections.
