Wednesday, September 7 2005 19:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Acting on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, BJP President L K Advani today (Sept 7, 2005) expelled senior Delhi leader Madan Lal Khurana for six years for "gross indiscipline and criticising the party leadership openly".

"Advani has accepted the unanimous recommendation of party Disciplinary Committee to expel Khurana from the party for a period of six years", a party statement said. "Khurana was found guilty of gross indiscipline under Article 25 (Gh) and (Ch) of the Party Constitution.

His action of going to media without raising his views in party forum was found to be an act of gross indiscipline. He was also found guilty of criticising the party leadership openly", it said. Advani's decision is being conveyed to Khurana, the statement said.

The Committee, chaired by former Minister Ram Naik, had yesterday recommended Khurana's expulsion after he failed to reply to the showcause notice issued to him on August 29.

Khurana was suspended from the party on August 20 after he repeatedly expressed his inability to work under Advani, sought Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's removal and demanded an apology from the party for the post-Godhra riots.

Asked whether Khurana's expulsion was a message to dissidents ahead of the Chennai executive, party spokesman Prakash Javadekar said "BJP attaches tremendous importance to discipline and members are expected to air their viewpoints in the party fora and not through media".

Meanwhile, Khurana found himself virtually isolated even within the Delhi unit of BJP with just one MLA coming out in the open in his support.