The ruling Awami League has suspended its around 40 rebel mayoral candidates for municipality elections scheduled for December 30.

The party came up with the decision against all the rebels who have failed to comply with a 24-hour ultimatum issued on Wednesday night asking them to withdraw their candidacies.

According to sources, the ruling party managed around 60 rebels to quit the race while around 40 others are still in the election battle.

AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the rebels would get letters about their suspension tomorrow. The next working committee the party would take final decision about the suspension order.

Hanif came up with the party decision at a press briefing at AL chief’s Dhanmondi political office this evening.

Talking to The Daily Star, Hanif said the rebels would be finally expelled from the party as they would not be shown any mercy for defying party directives.