Karnataka: BJP expels senior MLAs ST Somashekar, Shivram Hebbar for six years
BJP's Central Disciplinary Committee has cited "repeated violations of party discipline" as the reason for expelling the two senior BJP MLAs from the party
In a major development in Karnataka politics, BJP expelled senior MLAs Shivaram Hebbar and ST Somashekar, a former minister, from the primary membership of the party for six years, citing repeated violations of party discipline.
The BJP's Central Disciplinary Committee has said that both leaders have been removed from all party posts they currently hold with immediate effect.
The party president BY Vijayendra told the media that the party high command took a decision after long deliberations.
Violating party discipline
In an official letter issued by Om Pathak, Member Secretary of the BJP’s Central Disciplinary Committee, the party said: "The Central Disciplinary Committee of the party has considered your response to the showcause notice dated March 25, 2025 and has taken serious note of your repeated violations of party discipline."
Further, it said that it has accordingly been decided to expel the two MLAs for a period of six years with immediate effect from the primary membership of the party. "You also stand removed from any party position that you hold as of now," the letter read.
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The move comes after both lawmakers defied the party line — voting against the BJP’s official candidate during the recent Rajya Sabha elections and campaigning for Congress candidates during the Lok Sabha polls.
Turncoats
Both Shivaram Hebbar and ST Somashekar had rebelled against the Congress-JDS alliance government in 2019, resigned from their MLA seats and had joined the BJP. Both were made ministers.
Hebbar, who was the former Karnataka minister for labour and sugar, is the sitting MLA from Yellapur constituency in Uttara Kannada district. He won from Congress in 2018 and after joining BJP in 2019, he won the by-election held by BJP and also won the 2023 general election.
Meanwhile, Somashekar is a former MLA from Yeshwantpur constituency in Bengaluru and left Congress in 2019 and joined BJP. He also served as a minister in the BJP government but he was defeated in the 2023 elections.
Somashekar has now been expelled on charges of engaging in anti-party activities.