The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has expelled two of its legislators, Sandeep Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee, citing alleged anti-party activities and repeated absence from official party meetings.
The decision comes amid growing political turbulence within the party following a major show of absenteeism at a crucial legislative meeting.
Expulsion Follows Attendance Controversy
The action was announced a day after a scheduled TMC legislative party meeting in Kolkata had to be cancelled when 61 out of the party’s 80 MLAs failed to attend.
According to an official communication issued by the party, the two legislators were accused of repeatedly ignoring meetings called by the authorised leadership despite being elected on TMC tickets.
The notice further stated that their activities and public statements were considered detrimental to the interests of the party.
Immediate Removal From Party Membership
The expulsion order, signed by TMC vice-president Chandrima Bhattacharya, confirmed that both MLAs have been removed from the party’s primary membership with immediate effect.
Party leaders indicated that the decision was taken after reviewing the conduct of the legislators and their alleged involvement in actions viewed as contrary to the party’s organisational interests.
Background: Signature Forgery Investigation
The cancelled legislative meeting was convened to discuss the ongoing Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into allegations that signatures of some MLAs were forged on a letter supporting the nomination of veteran leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
The controversy has emerged as one of the most significant internal challenges facing the TMC following its recent electoral setback in the state.
Political Tensions Continue
Reports suggest that the expelled MLAs had reportedly raised concerns regarding the alleged forged signatures linked to the nomination process. The development has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, party leaders have attempted to downplay concerns over the poor attendance at Sunday’s meeting. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said many legislators were participating in protests against the alleged heckling of the party’s national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.
However, questions remain within political circles regarding the unusually high number of absentees at such an important gathering.
Challenges for the TMC Leadership
The latest developments highlight the organisational challenges currently confronting the Trinamool Congress. Along with the ongoing forgery investigation, the party is also dealing with internal dissent and efforts to reorganise after recent political setbacks.
Political observers believe the expulsion of the two MLAs signals the leadership’s intent to enforce party discipline while addressing concerns about unity within the organisation.
As the CID investigation continues, attention is likely to remain focused on the party’s internal dynamics and its strategy for rebuilding cohesion among legislators and supporters.
