Kabir Suman says TMC can expel him

Ignored by his party, estranged Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman today gave a free hand to his party to expel him, if it so desired.

"If it (Trinamool Congress) so desires, it can expel me. I will go," the singer-turned MP said.

Reminded that the party leadership does not want him to continue as a party MP, he told a Bengali tv news channel that legally he was not without a party. "But I told them the party can expel me."

Suman's latest grouse is that he was not being contacted by the Trinamool leadership or party chief whip Sudip Bandopadhyay regarding its decision on not attending the Lok Sabha. "I can't understand what the party's stand is regarding when to attend and when not to attend the House. I have signed the Lok Sabha register, but I can't enter the House."

He said he has brought this to the notice of the Lok Sabha Speaker and the secretary-general. Asked if he has written to party chief Mamata Banerjee or party chief whip, Suman replied in the negative arguing "she is a busy person".

Suman, who had earlier expressed a desire to put in his papers, stated that he would not resign from the Lok Sabha or the party for the time being in deference to his mentor and writer Mahasweta Devi's wishes. "I am not resigning now. My mentor and leader Mahesweta Devi has ordered me not to resign. The people of my Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency have also requested me not to resign. I will continue my job as MP," he had said.