Cracking the whip, Congress party on Monday suspended former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and two of his staunch supporters, close on the heels of announcing the formation of a regional outfit by the rebel leader.

Along with 77-year-old Lal, those suspended are legislators Dharam Pal Singh Mallik and Rakesh Kamboj.

The axe fell on the trio soon after the Disciplinary Action Committee of the All India Congress Committee met last week to decide on the action to be taken against them for their acts of rebellion.

"Bhajan Lal, Dharam Pal Singh Mallik and Rakesh Kamboj, legislators, Haryana have been suspended from the Indian National Congress for anti-party activities with immediate effect," AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi, in charge of organisation, said in a statement.

A petition on disqualification of the three legislators is already pending with the Haryana Speaker, who has issued a notice to them in the matter.

The Haryana unit of Congress has recommended strict disciplinary action against the three legislators.

Congress has already decided to approach Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to seek the disqualification of suspended party MP Kuldeep Bishnoi, Lal's son, who recently announced formation of a new party Haryana Janhit Congress. Lal, Malik and Kamboj have joined the new party.

Lal has been sulking since the last assembly elections, when Hooda was chosen over him to become chief minister.

Reports from Chandigarh said that Lal is in the US for medical treatment and Bishnoi is accompanying him.