Karnataka | BJP expels ST Somashekar, Shivaram Hebbar for anti-party activities

Bengaluru: The BJP on Tuesday expelled lawmakers S T Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar for six years on the grounds of indiscipline on Tuesday.

This could clear the path for them to rejoin Congress in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly polls. Both Somashekar and Hebbar had defected to the BJP in 2019, contributing to the fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.

Their expulsion came two months after Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was fired from the party for repeated violations of the party diktat.

The BJP's current strength in the Assembly is now down to 63.

BJP’s central disciplinary committee member-secretary Om Pathak said the decision to expel Somashekar and Hebbar was taken after considering their responses to show-cause notices that were issued to them on March 25. Their “repeated violations” of party discipline was viewed seriously, Pathak stated.

Somashekar is the Yeshwanthpur MLA while Hebbar represents Yellapur. They served as ministers when the BJP was in power between 2019 and 2023.

However, after Congress stormed to power in 2023, Somashekar and Hebbar became outliers in the BJP. They were regularly seen hobnobbing with Congress leaders while maintaining distance from BJP. During legislature sessions, they were seen defying the party line by not participating in walkouts or speaking in favour of the ruling Congress. Last year, Somashekar voted for the Congress in the Rajya Sabha election while Hebbar abstained.

“They got good opportunities when BJP was in power. However, they found it difficult to sit in the opposition. That’s why they repeatedly indulged in anti-party activities, causing embarrassment to the party,” BJP state president BY Vijayendra said.

Both Somashekar and Hebbar welcomed the BJP’s decision to expel them.

“I haven’t done anything against the party. Never have I publicly criticised any party leader. I said the allegations against me must be proven, failing which the notice should be withdrawn,” Somashekar said. “Even when I cross-voted (during Rajya Sabha polls), I was open about it.”

Somashekar said he would continue to work as MLA until the next Assembly polls in 2028. “I’ll decide my next move then after consulting my constituents,” he said.

Hebbar, too, said he had duly responded to the party’s show-cause notice. “Despite my response, the decision to expel me has created doubts as well as happiness,” he said. “I said from day one that I’d accept whatever the party would decide,” he added.