Saffron party suspends 3 rebels

Taking strict action against the rebels who had triggered infighting and dissent within the saffron party, the BJP on Wednesday suspended three senior leaders from Udhampur East and Chhamb constituencies.

The three leaders who have been suspended include vice president of the party, Pawan Khajuria, who is contesting as an Independent from Udhampur East after he was denied ticket, Balwan Singh another party leader and former chairman of Block Development Council (BDC), Udhampur, who is also contesting from Udhampur East, and Narinder Singh Bhau, who is contesting as an Independent from Chhamb constituency.

Khajuria is a popular leader in the constituency and is facing RS Pathania of the BJP, who is another senior leader of the party. With Balwan contesting as a J&K National Panthers Party (India) candidate, it is expected that he is likely to make minimal impact on the vote share of both Khajuria and Pathania.

In an official notice issued by BJP’s working president Sat Paul Sharma to the three leaders, he stated, “The disciplinary committee of the party headed by Sunil Sethi, chairman, has strongly recommended your suspension from the membership of the party for an act of indiscipline in fighting elections against the official candidates of the party. I, in my capacity as state working president of the party, hereby suspend you with immediate effect”.

The BJP was rattled with infighting and rebellion soon after it announced the tickets for the Assembly polls. Many of its leaders and workers openly came out against the party and demanded ticket for themselves. However, this is the first action that the party has taken against the rebels.

The Chhamb constituency in Jammu district is also witnessing an interesting contest between senior Congress leader Tara Chand, Rajeev Sharma of the BJP, and Satish Sharma, who is son of former Member of Parliament Madan Lal Sharma and contesting as an Independent. Narinder Singh, contesting as an Independent, also has significance hold in some pockets of the constituency.

Infighting in BJP after ticket allocation

The BJP was rattled with infighting and rebellion soon after it announced the tickets for the Assembly polls. Many of its leaders and workers openly came out against the party and demanded ticket for themselves. However, this is the first action that the party has taken against the rebels.