The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday withdrew the party membership of controversial Rajya Sabha member D P Yadav after objections were raised within the party and outside over his alleged criminal antecedents.

The decision was announced by party president M Venkaiah Naidu at a press conference at the BJP headquarters.

He said the decision was taken after consulting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani.

Yadav was admitted into the party only a few days ago in Naidu's presence.