BJP Expels 42 Rebels Ahead of First Phase of Rajasthan Civic Polls

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled 42 functionaries, including former Ajmer mayor Dharmendra Gehlot, for six years for supporting rebels or contesting as independents in the first phase of Rajasthan’s urban local body elections.

The expulsion orders were issued late Monday by BJP state general secretary Shravan Singh Bagdi on the directions of state president Madan Rathore. The party said the 42 functionaries had been found guilty of indiscipline.

Gehlot had been campaigning for his wife, Hemlata Gehlot, who is contesting the election as an independent candidate in defiance of the BJP’s official line. He was also accused of making objectionable remarks on social media and was expelled along with his wife.

Jaipur recorded the highest number of expulsions, with 26 BJP functionaries facing disciplinary action. Former councillors Harishankar Bohra, Dinesh Kanwat and Raju Agarwal are among those expelled. Thirteen functionaries were expelled from the Vidyadhar Nagar assembly constituency alone. BJP Scheduled Caste wing state vice-president Mukesh Kirad was also removed from the party.

In Pratapgarh, seven leaders were expelled, including former municipal council chairperson Ramkanya. In Sirohi, Leela Devi, wife of former municipal vice-chairperson Tikamchand Soni, was among those expelled.

Congress rebels yet to face action

Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara had warned party rebels during the nomination withdrawal period that those who remained in the fray against official candidates would face disciplinary action and a six-year expulsion.

However, Amin Kagzi, head of the Congress disciplinary committee for the civic elections, said no candidate had so far filed a complaint against any rebel. He said action would be taken if a formal complaint was received.

More than 100 Congress rebels are reportedly contesting in Jaipur alone, though the party has not taken action against them so far.

Rajasthan civic polls

Campaigning for the first phase of polling ended on Monday, triggering a 48-hour silence period ahead of Wednesday’s voting. The first phase will cover 5,425 wards across 162 urban local bodies.

The elections cover municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipalities, including those in Jaipur. Polling for all 309 urban local bodies is being held in two phases, with the second phase scheduled for Friday. The results will be declared on September 14.

Meanwhile, the Congress has sought to strengthen its outreach to younger voters by launching its “Gen-Z for Change” campaign and setting up a state-level Professional Gen-Z Committee ahead of the civic polls. The move came weeks after student protests over examination irregularities led to the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in July.

Employment, access to opportunities and readiness for a digital future have emerged as key concerns among young voters.

Rajasthan has alternated between the BJP and Congress governments every five years since 1993 and is scheduled to hold its next assembly elections in 2028.