Shimla, Aug 19 - Expulsion of veteran leader Jaswant Singh from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dominated the first day's discussions at the party's three-day introspection meeting here Wednesday, as top leaders analysed the factors that led to the party's dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

The chintan baithak (introspection session) began with the party leadership deciding to sack the former foreign minister over his book praising Mohammed Ali Jinnah that was released Monday.

And later as the meet progressed, party sources said Jaswant Singh's sacking became the key issue of discussion.

Sources said the BJP leaders watched intently as Singh's press conference, where he spoke in a emotionally choked voice, was being aired live on television.

'The statements of Jaswant Singh after his expulsion from the party was among the main issues discussed. But several other issues were also debated in the meeting,' a senior Himachal Pradesh leader, tasked to oversee the arrangements for the chintan baithak, told IANS. He declined to be named.

Among other issues, the leaders discussed the reasons for the party's humiliating defeat in the April-May Lok Sabha elections, the leader said, but refused to divulge the details.