Ludhiana, June 3
Cracking the whip on dissidents, the District Akali Jatha Ludhiana (Urban) today expelled nine party workers who were contesting as Independents in the Municipal Corporation (MC) Ludhiana polls.

District Akali Jatha Ludhiana (Urban) president Hira Singh Gabria said the expelled party workers were harming the interests of the party by contesting as Independents.

He added that the party had issued an appeal to all candidates contesting as Independents to withdraw their nominations. SAD leaders had also met them personally to urge them to support party candidates. In response to these efforts, many candidates had withdrawn their nominations in the larger interests of the party, he said.

“The SAD appreciates these candidates’ gesture. However, the party had to take disciplinary action against dissidents,” he added.

Gabria also warned party workers that if any of them supported any dissident in the MC polls campaign, a strict action would be taken against them. Earlier on June 1, state BJP president Ashwani Sharma had expelled a dissident for six years.