The leaders expelled from the BJP on Monday night claimed on Tuesday that the ruling party was digging its own grave in Jharkhand, while the Opposition could barely hide its glee.

Five rebels — Saryu Roy, Barkunwar Gagrai, Mahesh Singh, Dushyant Patel and Amit Yadav — were among those expelled for six years for contesting against the party’s official candidates in the Assembly elections. Roy has taken on chief minister Raghubar Das in Jamshedpur East that voted on December 7. Mahesh Singh (Independent) and Dushyant Patel (JDU) are fighting against Jai Prakash Bhai Patel in Mandu that will vote on Thursday. Amit Yadav is contesting as an Independent against Janki Yadav in Barkatha, which will also vote on Thursday. Barkunwar Gagrai contested as an Independent against Bhusan Pingua in Majhgaon where voting was held on December 7.

A total of 11 BJP leaders from Jamshedpur were also expelled for six years for anti-party activities (read supporting Saryu Roy).

Former BJP state spokesperson Amarpreet Singh Kale, one of those expelled on Monday, expressed shock. “I was in Delhi to attend a function at my friend’s place when I was informed by a journalist about my expulsion. I am stunned and shocked. I have always worked with integrity for the party and never indulged in anti-party activity. I will place my grievances at the proper forum in the party whenever I am asked on my view. Unfortunately, I was not even given a show-cause,” said Kale, known to be close to Union minister Arjun Munda.

Saryu Roy said: “It was a foolish and unnecessary act on the part of BJP to expel me when I have already announced in the media before filing my nomination that I have distanced myself from the party.”

BJP Jamshedpur Mahanagar senior member Ramnarayan Sharma, who was also expelled, claimed the BJP was heading for its worst-ever performance in the state election because of the “arrogance” of Das. “I have been with the BJP since 1978 during the Jana Sangh days and given my all to the party and now I am expelled for anti-party activities. After December 23 the party will realise who has done damage to the party,” Sharma said.

An expelled BJP local leader from Jamshedpur, Ratan Mahato, on Tuesday afternoon sat in the party Sakchi office and dared anybody to remove him.

The Opposition took potshots at the BJP.

“What is the use of taking the action now,” asked Tauhid Alam, the JVM’s central spokesperson. “The damage has already been done in the constituencies. The BJP, which is the world’s biggest political party, has set an example of sorts of taking unilateral actions against supporters without giving them a chance to explain their stand through show-cause notices which have been the norm. All this shows the desperation and panic creeping into the BJP camp .”

A senior JMM leader said: “Not a leaf flutters in the Jharkhand BJP nowadays without the approval of Das. However, after seeing that even the chief minister is unsure of retaining his Assembly seat, they decided to crack the whip. It is a delayed action and will send a message among the rank and file of BJP supporters — that the party leadership is jittery during the ongoing Assembly polls.”

Congress spokesperson Kishore Sahdeo called it the beginning of the end of the BJP in Jharkhand.

“Several more people are being threatened with expulsion. Just wait till December 23 (election result day), more people will be leaving the party. All this has happened as the party has failed to match up to the aspirations of its own supporters during its five-year rule under a majority government,” he said.