CPI-M censures legislator for participating in Congress rally

The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Sunday censured party legislator Tanmoy Bhattacharya who, defying the official stand, participated in a rally called by the Congress.

"The Left Front legislative party had decided against participating in the rally. Defying the decision, Tanmoy Bhattacharya participated in the Congress-called rally, for which he is being publicly censured.

"The party expects Bhattacharya will remain cautious in the future," the CPI-M said in a communique.

The move of not joining the rally came in the wake of the Central Committee - the highest decision-making body of the CPI-M - saying the "electoral tactics adopted in Bengal was not in consonance with the Central Committee decision not to have an alliance or understanding with the Congress".

Called against price rise and "attacks on the democracy under the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime in West Bengal", the Congress had invited the Marxists for the Saturday's rally.

Bhattacharya, a first-time MLA, on Saturday had defended his decision to participate in the rally saying he didn't have the audacity to disrespect public mandate.

"Two months back we had gone to the people saying we have formed an alliance urging them to give a chance to the alliance. Over two crore people had supported our call. I cannot disrespect the people's mandate," he had said at the rally.

--IANS

and/vd