CP(M) expels Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee for 'anti-party' activities; feud deepens between Yechury, Karat camps

Kolkata: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] expelled party member and Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday for alleged “anti-party” activities. The move comes two days after Banerjee's explosive interview to a regional television channel, where he lashed out at senior leaders of the party. 

General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has confirmed the development.

Banerjee was a state committee member. 

Banerjee's expulsion from the party points towards a deepening feud between the Sitaram Yechury camp and the Prakash Karat camps.

He was expelled under Article XIX- Party Discipline, Clause 13, that states, “In exceptional circumstances Party Committees in their discretion may resort to summary procedure in expelling members for grave anti-Party activities.”

In his television interview, Banerjee alleged CPI(M) central leadership is “anti-Bengali” and that Yechury is a minority while majority is led by Prakash and Brinda Karat. 

He also spoke on CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim, who heads an inquiry commission. He called the commission a “Kangaroo commission” and claimed Salim is part of the Polit Bureau because of Muslims quota.