A statement issued by the BJP here today said that three leaders -- former state president Tarakant Jha, former MP Kameshwar Paswan and Yashodanand Singh (MLC) -- had been expelled from the party for six years ``for indulging in anti-party activities.''

The three leaders had launched a tirade against Govindacharya ever since he was made his party's incharge of the Bihar unit over three years ago. A statement allegedly made some time ago by the BJP general secretary against a particular caste (Bhumihars) had forced the dissidents to seek his removal from the state.

Succumbing to their pressure, BJP president Kushabhau Thakre last week shifted Govindacharya from the state and replaced him with party vice-president Kailashpati Mishra.

In retrospect, it could be said that by making Mishra, a Bhumihar, as the party's incharge of the Biharunit, the BJP president had paved the way for taking disciplinary action against the three dissident leaders.

They had been chargesheeted by state BJP chief Nand Kishore Yadav on December 21 last. The disciplinary committee unanimously recommended their expulsion after the leaders submitted their explanations.

The decision has also been conveyed to the party's central leadership. When contacted, Yadav said that the long-drawn controversy had now come to an end, which would be in the overall interest of the party's Bihar unit.