The Congress on Thursday announced that rebels contesting against official nominees in the February three assembly polls in Haryana will be expelled for six years.

Party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters in New Delhi that the decision would be implemented with immediate effect. He did not give the exact number of rebels in the field.

Party sources, however, indicated that over a dozen rebels had filed nominations in various constituencies.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi will launch the party's campaign at Neoltha in Panipat district on Friday. She will also address rallies in Behowa in Kurukshetra, Barmala in Rewari and Nuh in Gurgaon district. Gandhi will address a rally at Bhiwani on January 29, sources said.