TMC expels youth wing leader for attending event backed by VHP

The TMC expelled the youth wing leader for six years a day after he attended an event by an organisation backed by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday expelled its youth wing general secretary in Darjeeling district for attending a religious event held by an organisation backed by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The Trinamool Congress said ts youth wing general secretary in Darjeeling district indulged in anti-party activities. (Representative photo/AP)

“Youth wing general secretary Pranabesh Mondal has been expelled from the party for six years for indulging in anti-party activities,” said Ranjan Sarkar, president of TMC Darjeeling district (plains) committee. “He was involved in such activities for a long time,” said Sarkar.

Mondal left Congress and joined the TMC in 2013.

On Monday, Mondal, who is also a former president of Phasidewa panchayat samiti, attended a programme organised by Bhagwat Prachar Mandali which is backed by the VHP. The programme was held at Bidhan Nagar in the district’s Phasidewa community block area.

Mondal also addressed the gathering, which he claimed was attended by more than 10,000 people.

“If attending a sanatan dharma event is considered anti-party activity, I will keep doing it till I die. All I can say is that I am an Indian first and a Hindu later,” Mondal told HT.

“I organised Iftar parties at my home for Muslims for 13 years as I have respect for all religions. But I am a Hindu,” Mondal added, referring to his tenure in TMC.

TMC’s top leaders, including chief minister Mamata Banerjee, attend Iftar during the month of Ramadan. District leaders are encouraged to organise Iftars where Muslims break their fast.

Anup Mandal, organisational secretary of the VHP in North Bengal said, “We are happy that more and more people can see that the TMC is politicising religions.”