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The Punjab Congress on Tuesday expelled 20 partymen who had filed nomination against its official candidates and alliance partner Communist Party of India nominees for next month assembly elections.
PCC chief Amarinder Singh told reporters that 10 had been expelled for contesting against Congress' official candidates and seven for contesting against nominees of the CPI, while three had been expelled for contesting as Nationalist Congress Party candidates after denial of official nomination.
He said 23 rebels had already retired in favour of official candidates by withdrawing their candidature on Monday. The remaining rebel candidates, whose number was not known, had been given two days to withdraw or face disciplinary action, he added.
The expelled included Jai Kishan Saini (Jalandhar central), Darshan Singh Brar (Jagraon), Shamsher Singh Rai (Chamkaur Sahib) and Harnek Singh (Kharar) (all standing against official Congress nominees), Dhanwant Singh (Dhuri) and Hamir Singh (Shutrana), both standing against CPI candidates.
Mahesh Inder Singh, a relative of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who was inducted into the Congress recently, was expelled for standing against official nominee Gurnam Singh from Lambi.
A former deputy speaker, Gulzar Singh Nathana, was expelled as he had filed his papers as an Independent from Pakka Kalan assembly constitutency.
Former MLAs Rames Singla (Nabha) and Abdul Ghaffar (Malerkotla), as also Lakha Singh (Khadoor Sahib) were expelled for contesting as NCP candidates.
The others expelled for standing against Congress candidates were Kulwant Rai Aggarwal (Bhatinda), Harpartap Singh (Ajnala), Sudhir Nagpal (Abohar), Balbir Singh Sidhu (Kharar) and Sajjab Bar Singh (Guru Har Sahai).
Sher Singh Gagowal (Mansa), Ranjit Singh Khaira (Panj Grain), Fatehjung Singh Bajwa (Sri Hargobindpur) and Bhagat Ram Chauha (Garhshankar) were among the rebels expelled from the party for contesting against official candidates of the CPI.
Former Congress deputy speaker Gulzar Singh Nathana (Pakka Kalan) was also expelled from the party for contesting against CPI nominee.
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