BJP expels Ram Jethmalani for `breach of discipline`

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday expelled noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani from the party`s primary membership.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday expelled noted lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani from the party`s primary membership. The BJP expelled Jethmalani for six years over “breach of discipline”. In a letter to Jethmalani, BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar on Tuesday said the party’s parliamentary board had taken a unanimous decision on Monday to expel him from membership of the party. “The central parliamentary board after considering all your replies, responses and letters was of the unanimous opinion that you have indulged in a breach of discipline. The parliamentary board, therefore, decided to expel you for a period of six years from the primary membership of the Party,” the letter stated. The MP`s expulsion follows his continued open defiance of party`s policies and leaders. Recently, Jethmalani had called on the BJP leadership to take a call on his suspension. He had earlier said that the BJP leadership was being soft on the corruption-tainted UPA government. Jethmalani was earlier suspended by the party for his tirade against the then chief Nitin Gadkari in 2012. Jethmalani will now continue as an independent MP in the Upper House of Parliament.