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CPI(M) expels member for protesting ties with Congress
NEW DELHI: The CPI(M) expelled a woman member from the party for protesting against the party’s poll alliance with the Congress in West Bengal, hours before the
NEW DELHI: The CPI(M) expelled a woman member from the party for protesting against the party’s poll alliance with the Congress in West Bengal, hours before the Central Committee (CC) echoed her sentiments and chided its state unit for the pact.
In a rare outburst against the top leadership, Jagmati Sangwan announced her resignation and stormed out of the CC meeting at CPI(M) headquarters here.
“She stood up and announced her resignation. She didn’t even tell us why,” party general secretary Sitaram Yechury said.
Adding to the drama, politburo member Brinda Karat later met Sangwan. “Whatever has happened is very unfortunate,” Karat told HT.
Though the party later expelled Sangwan on charges of indiscipline, the central panel’s communiqué said: “The electoral tactics adopted in West Bengal were not in consonance with the Central Committee decision. This should be rectified.”
Despite this verdict, many members saw the alliance as a victory for party general secretary Sitaram Yechury and the ‘Bengal line’.
Party veteran Mallu Swarajyam slammed the central leadership. Calling them “all you intellectuals”, she pointed out that 2.15 crore people voted for the alliance in Bengal while in Assam and Tamil Nadu the party had to bite the dust.
