BJP in Crisis? Expulsion of MLAs Sheds Light on Deepening Fault Lines Within the Party in 2025

BJP’s Internal Turmoil: What the Expulsion of MLAs Reveals About Party Discipline in 2025

New Delhi, May 29, 2025 — The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has found itself at the center of internal unrest, with the high-profile expulsion of several state-level MLAs bringing its internal discipline and leadership mechanisms into sharp focus. While the BJP has long been recognized for its tight command structure and cadre loyalty, recent events suggest the party’s internal cohesion may be under stress.

The expulsion of six MLAs across key states — including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh — is being described as both a disciplinary crackdown and a symptom of growing ideological and factional tensions within the party.

Here’s a comprehensive look into the circumstances behind the expulsions, the signals being sent to party ranks, and what this moment means for the BJP as it heads into the next electoral cycle.

What Triggered the Expulsions?

The official reason cited by the BJP’s disciplinary committee was “anti-party activities, repeated indiscipline, and defiance of the central leadership.” However, internal sources speaking to The Wire suggest that the trigger points were more nuanced:

• Open criticism of senior leadership on public forums and social media.

• Alleged backdoor negotiations with opposition parties during legislative sessions.

• Sabotage of party candidates during local body elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

• In some cases, questioning policy directions on matters such as reservation reforms and economic centralization.

The expulsion letters, delivered through the BJP’s state presidents, were reportedly backed by the Central Disciplinary Committee, chaired by a senior Union Minister known for his proximity to the party high command.

Who Are the Key Figures Expelled?

Among those expelled, three names have drawn national attention:

1. Raghav Dubey (Uttar Pradesh) – A two-time MLA from Eastern UP, Dubey had recently criticized the party’s handling of caste-based reservations and demanded a leadership change in the state unit.

2. Sunita Patil (Maharashtra) – A firebrand MLA from Pune, Patil had aligned with a dissident group seeking greater transparency in candidate selection and fund allocation.

3. Arvind Rathore (Madhya Pradesh) – Known for his RSS roots, Rathore was vocal about the party’s growing disconnect with ground-level karyakartas (workers).

These expulsions followed warnings and show-cause notices issued in late March 2025. A timeline of disciplinary actions against BJP members is documented by India Today Politics.

The RSS Factor: Silence or Subtle Pushback?

Notably, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — BJP’s ideological parent — has maintained a measured silence. However, several senior pracharaks have indicated discomfort with the increasing centralization and alleged sidelining of grassroots ideologues in favor of technocrats and political strategists.

An analysis by Scroll.in explores how the evolving power structure within the BJP is testing its traditional relationship with the RSS.

Internal Discipline or Central Control?

The BJP’s expulsion of dissenting MLAs is being interpreted in two divergent ways:

• Proponents argue that it shows the party’s firm commitment to discipline, signaling that no individual is above the organization.

• Critics view it as a clampdown on dissent, indicative of an increasingly top-heavy leadership that’s growing intolerant of divergent views.

Political scientist Dr. Rakesh Sinha, speaking on ORF’s policy podcast, notes:

“What we are seeing is less about discipline and more about absolute control. A mature party allows some space for internal critique.”

Political Implications Ahead of 2026 Elections

The expulsions come at a time when the BJP is preparing for critical state elections in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana, followed by the 2026 General Elections. The party's organizational structure is undergoing a quiet churn, with new state presidents being appointed and a greater emphasis on booth-level data analytics.

However, internal rifts could affect candidate mobilization and messaging, particularly in urban constituencies and among backward caste groups, where some of the expelled leaders held sway.

According to LiveMint, the BJP's internal war rooms are now recalibrating outreach strategies to prevent further leakage of support from within the ranks.

How the Opposition Is Responding

The Congress and other opposition parties have been quick to capitalize on the BJP's internal strife. In a recent statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remarked:

“This is what happens when a party stops listening to its own people. The BJP is no longer a party with a difference — it’s a party of silence and suppression.”

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have also accused the BJP of being “anti-democratic” within its own structure, while Trinamool Congress has invited expelled MLAs in West Bengal to join their platform.

For continuous tracking of opposition reactions and political strategy, visit The Quint Politics.

What This Means for Indian Democracy

The expulsions serve as a litmus test for democratic practices within India’s largest political party. While every party has a right to uphold internal discipline, the line between control and suppression is now under scrutiny.

This episode raises essential questions:

• Is ideological loyalty being replaced by blind allegiance?

• Are legislators being reduced to figureheads, unable to voice constituency concerns?

• Is the party weakening its internal feedback mechanisms in the quest for absolute control?

These concerns have been echoed by civil society voices and former BJP leaders like Yashwant Sinha, who called the expulsions a “sign of deeper rot” within the party in a column on ThePrint.

Final Thoughts

The BJP’s recent MLA expulsions are not just about isolated indiscipline — they reflect larger structural challenges within a party navigating both power consolidation and public accountability. As India moves closer to a high-stakes electoral cycle, how the BJP manages internal dissent may determine not just its electoral prospects, but also its democratic credibility.

With opposition unity still fragile, BJP has time to recalibrate its internal culture. But failure to do so may spark a slow-burning crisis, beginning not from the opposition benches — but from within.