Dhaka, Jan. 21 -- In a decisive move to maintain party discipline, BNP has expelled 59 more local leaders for defying party directives and contesting the upcoming national election as independent candidates.

In a media release issued on Wednesday night, the party said they were expelled for engaging in activities that go against the party's policy, ideology and organisational discipline.

It said all of them have been stripped of primary membership along with all posts at every tier of the party.

Earlier, BNP expelled 13 leaders for running in seats allocated to alliance partners, defying the party's decision.

The expelled leaders are from Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Faridpur, Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram ...