Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 27: In a major disciplinary action, the CPI(M) in West Bengal on Sunday expelled three-time Lok Sabha member Bansa Gopal Chowdhury from the party over allegations of "highly objectionable" behaviour towards a woman colleague.

The controversy erupted on April 20 when a woman leader of the party, also a former councillor of Jiaganj-Azimganj Municipality, accused Chowdhury of sending her obscene messages on WhatsApp. She made the allegations public through a social media post, also uploading screenshots of the alleged messages.

The woman leader claimed that she had reported the matter to the party leadership as early as November last year. Following her complaint, the CPI(M) referred the matter to its internal complaints committee, which initiated an investigation.

Chowdhury, a former state minister and ex-MP from the Asansol constituency in West Burdwan district, denied the allegations, claiming he was the victim of a conspiracy. Despite his denials, the matter escalated after the screenshots were posted online.

Announcing Chowdhury’s expulsion, the CPI(M) leadership issued a notification on Sunday morning. Although the notification refrained from detailing the charges, it stated that Chowdhury had failed to reform despite sustained efforts by the party, leading to his removal based on the internal committee’s recommendation.

"In terms of Lok Sabha or Assembly strength in West Bengal, we might be zero. But we never nurture such instances of moral degeneration within the party. I wonder if, after expulsion, he will become an asset for the Trinamool Congress," commented a senior state committee leader.

Chowdhury was serving as a member of the CPI(M)'s West Burdwan district committee at the time of his expulsion.