The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday expelled strongman and former MLA Arabul Islam who had often put the party in embarrassing situations, the latest being the October 25 intra-party clash at Bhangor in South 24-Parganas district which left two persons dead.
Besides Islam, his close aide Jahangir Khan, whose name featured in the violence at Bhangor, has been expelled for a period of six years on the charges of indiscipline and misconduct, TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee told reporters.
Chatterjee said that the decision to expel the two leaders had been taken by the disciplinary committee of the party which went through the primary report submitted after the Bhangor intra-party violence which occurred due to rivalry over gaining control of a gram panchayat. "There is no place for indiscipline in the party. We had earlier said repeatedly that violence in any form would not be tolerated under Mamata Banerjee's leadership. Those found to be delinquent in this regard will be punished," he said.
State BJP welcomed the expulsion decision, but wanted the government to take legal steps against Islam for alleged role behind the clash. "Though late, we support the decision of the Trinamool Congress. Similarly, we want that there should be legal steps initiated against Islam in connection with the recent incident of killings in Bhangor," state BJP president Rahul Sinha said.
Chatterjee said this was not the first time that action had been taken against indiscipline and wayward leaders, be it a councillor or a borough committee chairman. "The probe is not yet complete. If any new name crops up, then the person would also be punished," Chatterjee added. Islam's name had cropped up several times in the past several years in connection with clashes in Bhangor area in the southern fringes of the city, where money flows in from local fisheries and nearby leather complex.
Chatterjee also barred partymen from approaching the media or speak about the perceived problems which were purely internal to the party. "Party workers should report to the party first and not go the media," he said. Without naming a TMC MP and an MLA from East Midnapore district who have been trading charges against each other over party matters, Chatterjee said if they came across any undemocratic developments within the party they should desist from speaking to the media.
"I have spoken to the two concerned persons over phone. If needed letters will be sent to them," he said. The Bhangar area has been in news in the recent past over political clashes, including the attack on expelled CPI (M) MLA Abdur Razzak Mollah in which Islam is an accused and for which he was jailed for a brief period. Condemning the clashes, Opposition parties had alleged the Trinamool had lost control over its cadres.
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