The BJP on Tuesday expelled two Karnataka MLAs — S T Somashekar and A Shivaram Hebbar — for six years over alleged “anti-party activities,” state party president B Y Vijayendra announced. He said the decision was made by the party’s high command after extensive deliberations.
S T Somashekar represents the Yashwanthpur assembly constituency in Karnatka, while A Shivaram Hebbar represents the Yellapur constituency.
Party cites ‘repeated violations’ in expulsion letter
The major step has been taken due to “repeated violations of the party discipline,” according to an official letter issued by Om Pathak, member secretary of the BJP’s Central Disciplinary Committee to A Shivaram Hebbar.
“Central Disciplinary Committee of the party has considered your response to the show cause notice dated 25th March 2025 and has taken serious note of your repeated violations of the party discipline,” reads the letter.
The letter also added that the Yellapur MLA has been expelled with immediate effect.
The expelled MLAs are yet to respond, reported PTI.
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reacts
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticised the BJP’s actions.
“No, ST Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar haven’t raped anyone in the Vidhana Soudha. There are so many FIRs, so many investigations have taken place. Some legislators tried to inject the Opposition leader with an AIDS injection, others tried to trap Yediyurappa ji. But no action has been taken against them. I’m happy they’re keeping all those ‘Navaratnas’ in their party,” the Deputy CM was quoted as saying by India Today.
During the March 2024 Rajya Sabha elections, BJP MLA S T Somashekar defied the party line by cross-voting in favor of Congress candidate Ajay Maken, despite a clear party whip.
Meanwhile, fellow MLA A Shivaram Hebbar abstained from voting altogether. Both moves were viewed as significant acts of dissent within BJP ranks and contributed to their eventual expulsion from the party.
