In the lead-up to the October 5 Haryana Assembly elections, the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled eight rebel leaders for six years after they filed nominations to run as Independent candidates. These individuals are contesting against official BJP nominees, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The decision was announced by Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli.

Among those expelled is former minister Ranjit Chautala, who resigned from his position after being denied a party ticket. Sandeep Garg, who is running as an Independent against Chief Minister Saini in Ladwa, was also expelled.

The list of expelled leaders includes Zile Ram Sharma, contesting from Assandh, former minister Bachan Singh Arya from Safidon, Radha Ahlawat from Meham, Naveen Goyal from Gurgaon, Kehar Singh Rawat from Hathin, and former MLA Devendra Kadyan.

Ranjit Chautala previously served as an Independent MLA representing Rania. After stepping down from the Assembly and joining the BJP ahead of the May-June Lok Sabha elections, Chautala contested from Hisar but was defeated.

The Congress party is facing its own internal struggles, recently expelling rebel candidate Chitra Sarwara, who is contesting in Ambala cantonment against BJP’s former minister Anil Vij. On Friday, the Haryana Congress also expelled 13 leaders for "anti-party activities" due to their decision to run as Independent candidates.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Hisar, took a jab at the Congress party, questioning its ability to govern. "How can a party that cannot bring unity among its leaders bring stability to the state?" Modi remarked at the Jan Ashirwad rally.

The BJP has governed Haryana for the past decade and is aiming for a third consecutive term in the upcoming election. The state will go to the polls for its 90-member Assembly on October 5, with vote counting set for October 8.