Cracks in BJP: 58 leaders suspended in Gurugram for anti-party activities

In a major disciplinary move ahead of civic elections, the BJP has suspended 58 party leaders in Gurugram district for contesting as Independent candidates and allegedly misleading voters about their association with the party.

Misleading people

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These candidates are misleading people about the party’s support and trying to lay stake on BJP’s loyal vote bank.

— Kamal Yadav, bjp district president, gurugram

Key suspended leaders

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Vimal Yadav – Former mayor, Gurugram

Ashwani Sharma – Ex-councillor, Ward 13

Rama Rani Rathee – Ex-councillor

Praveen Lata Yadav – Independent candidate, Ward 15

Neeraj Yadav – RWA president, Ward 15

The late-night order issued on February 24 suspended 44 leaders from Gurugram, 13 from Manesar and one from Pataudi for six years. Among those suspended is former Gurugram mayor Vimal Yadav and several ex-councillors, including Ashwani Sharma (Ward 13) and Rama Rani Rathee.

The party accused these leaders of creating confusion among voters by maintaining their BJP association despite contesting independently. Many of them have been leveraging their proximity to senior leaders like Badhshapur MLA Rao Narbir Singh and Gurugram MP Rao Inderjit Singh. Though both leaders have distanced themselves from Independent candidates, the suspended leaders continue to use their photos in campaign materials.

The biggest controversy has erupted in Ward 15, where BJP candidate Bharti Harsana accused local BJP leaders of obstructing her campaign. In her complaint, she alleged that Independent candidate and former councillor Praveen Lata Yadav, her husband Rakesh Yadav, and RWA president Neeraj Yadav were preventing her from reaching voters. All three have been suspended.

“These candidates are indulging in anti-party activities. The tickets for MC elections were given through a collective party decision. Instead of supporting official candidates, these leaders filed Independent nominations and misled voters into believing they had party backing,” said Gurugram BJP district president Kamal Yadav.

Another major name on the suspension list, Ashwani Sharma, had put up campaign boards featuring the BJP symbol and MP Rao Inderjit Singh’s images before switching to Independent status. BJP candidate Pawan Saini accused Sharma of intentionally misleading voters. Similarly, former councillor Rama Rani Rathee was suspended for allegedly claiming BJP’s backing despite running independently.

Bharti Harsana further raised concerns that the suspended leaders are falsely assuring voters of their reinstatement post-elections. “They are telling people that the party will take them back within 15 days after the polls. Their suspension should be made permanent to protect the party's integrity,” she demanded.