Ram Jethmalani expelled from BJP for six years

Veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani was expelled from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday for six years for 'breach of discipline'.

"The issue has been on discussion since 26th November. A letter was issued and then an extension of time for his replying was also given. Reply had reached and discussion took place in the parliamentary board yesterday. And today a letter has been issued for his expulsion from the party," said BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.

"The letter which has been issued by Ananth Kumar explains it all very clearly. The expulsion has been explained on a unanimous based decision of the parliamentary board yesterday. And any other action is narrated in the letter would be taken without prejudice to this decision," she added.

Another BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said party president Rajnath Singh has expelled Jethmalani from the party for six years in view of the continued indiscipline exhibited by him.

"Bharatiya Janata Party National President has expelled Ram Jethmalani from the party for six years. This decision has been taken in view of the continued indiscipline exhibited by Ram Jethmalani. And BJP has taken a decision not to tolerate indiscipline and that's why we have taken the logical decision and this is the final decision," he said.

The letter issued by BJP General Secretary Ananth Kumar said the party's parliamentary board had taken a unanimous decision on Monday to expel him from primary membership of the party, after going through his explanations made in response to a show-cause notice.

"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 said.

Jethmalani was suspended from the BJP in November last year after his statement dared the party to have the courage to take action against him.

He had earlier embarrassed his party on several occasions, be it his open criticism against the party stand to oppose the appointment of new CBI Director, asking Nitin Gadkari to step down as party president over corruption charges.