India, Sept. 8 -- The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled 42 functionaries, including former Ajmer mayor Dharmendra Gehlot, for six years for supporting rebels or standing as independent candidates for the first phase of Rajasthan's urban local body elections on Wednesday.

BJP state general secretary Shravan Singh Bagdi issued the expulsion orders on Monday night on the instructions of state president Madan Rathore, saying the 42 were found guilty of indiscipline.

Gehlot has been campaigning for his wife, Hemlata Gehlot, who is contesting the polls as an independent, in defiance of the party line. He was also accused of making objectionable remarks on social media and was expelled along with his wife.

Jaipur accounts for t...