NATION | Politics
CPM expels RS MP Ritabrata after explosive interview
Controversial Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee has been formally expelled by the CPI(M) from its party saying that the decision was taken after its efforts to rectify him failed.
The party’s West Bengal unit announced his expulsion on Friday after party general secretary Sitaram Yechury gave his approval to the recommendation of state secretariat committee which was sent to the central leadership for consideration barely two days ago.
Mr Yechury conveyed his decision to the West Bengal CPI(M) on behalf of the Politburo, the apex body of the party. The decision of the 38-yearold parliamentarian was pending for the last two days as the CPI(M) general secretary was out of New Delhi for party work.
Mr Yechury took the final decision on Friday after returning to New Delhi. In the afternoon, CPI(M) West Bengal state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra made public Mr Banerjee’s explusion from the party.
Dr Mishra said that Mr Banerjee was expelled from the CPI(M) as per Section 19(13) of the party constitution for “serious anti-party activities”.
He said, “This decision was taken on September 13, 2017 at the state secretariat meeting. The CPI(M) Politburo has approved the decision. In February Mr Banerjee was publicly censured by the party’s state committee for his indiscipline.”
Speaking about the three-member inquiry commission against Mr Banerjee, the statement mentioned that a decision was later taken as per section 19(10) of the party’s organisation to suspend him from the party’s state committee at a meeting on June 1-2 for three months in wake of many more serious allegations against him.
“He was given an opportunity to defend himself. Probing all angles, the commission found him guilty and submitted its report within scheduled time,” party’s state secretary added.