The decision comes in the wake of Singh’s decision to contest as an Independent from Barmer and Mahariya’s announcement to do the same from Sikar in Rajasthan.

This is the second time the party has taken such action Mr. Singh. He was earlier expelled in 2009 for praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founding father.

According to sources in the BJP, the party’s constitution allows it to expel members if they contest against its official candidates in elections, or if they drag the party to court over an internal issue. “

Jaswant Singh has exhausted all constitutional options available to the party by deciding not to withdraw from the contest,” a senior leader said in New Delhi.

Singh has refused to accept the party’s decision to field Col. Sonaram from Barmer and, despite hectic parleys, has not agreed to withdraw his nomination.