Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections: BJP expels 53 candidates reluctant to withdraw nominations

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expelled 53 rebel leaders refusing to withdraw their nominations ahead of the deadline, at 3 pm on Wednesday.

The ruling party tried various means to persuade them to retreat from filing nominations but finding them reluctant, the party decided to expel them.

Former ministers Ramkrishna Kusmaria and K L Agrawal, three former MLAs and a former mayor were among those axed by the party, which has faced more dissidence than the Congress over distribution of tickets for the assembly elections.

The Congress, which faced rebellion in 12 seats, expelled former MLA Xavier Meda yesterday.

The BJP, however, is most worried about the Damoh seat, which is represented by state finance minister Jayant Malaiyya. Kusmaria has filed nominations from Damoh and neighbouring Patharia.

Madhya Pradesh goes to polls on November 28 and the votes will be counted on December 11.