Hyderabad:

Acting tough on rebels, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas ordered the expulsion of 40 party leaders who have entered the election fray against the official candidates. The rebel candidates stand expelled for six years with immediate effect.

The disciplinary action by the PCC chief follows appeals from AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Affairs Vayalar Ravi, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and PCC president himself to the rebels to withdraw from contest.

The prominent among the rebels are Jalgam Venkat Rao (Khammam), son of former Chief Minister Jalgam Vengal Rao, and Chanda Lingaiah Dora also from Khammam.