TMC Expels Two MLAs Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities Amid Internal Tensions
TMC expels two MLAs over alleged anti-party activities.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday expelled its MLAs Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee, accusing them of engaging in anti-party activities and acting against the interests of the organisation. The decision was communicated through an official party notice that cited repeated absence from party meetings and conduct deemed detrimental to the party.
The expulsion came shortly after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed a press conference, alleging that the two legislators had filed complaints related to a “fake signature” controversy in the state Assembly. The case pertains to a disputed endorsement of Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of the Opposition, which has triggered internal political tensions.
According to the TMC’s communication, signed by party vice-president Chandrima Bhattacharya, the MLAs had “repeatedly failed” to attend meetings called by authorised party leadership and had engaged in statements and actions considered prejudicial to the party’s interests. The notice stated that the party’s competent authority had decided to terminate their primary membership with immediate effect.
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The controversy deepened after Adhikari alleged that the Assembly Secretariat had filed a case at Hare Street police station following complaints made by the same two TMC MLAs. He claimed they had questioned the authenticity of signatures on a document endorsing Chattopadhyay, alleging that several of the signatures were fabricated.
Adhikari further stated that the investigation was transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department, which questioned multiple MLAs in the presence of handwriting experts. He also claimed that some legislators denied signing the document, intensifying the internal dispute within the ruling party’s legislative ranks.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh defended the expulsions, alleging that bypassing party leadership and approaching the Assembly Speaker constituted a breach of party discipline. He also welcomed Adhikari’s statements naming the complainant MLAs, saying it effectively validated the party’s decision to take disciplinary action.
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