CPI-M suspends Kerala MLA for 'misbehaviour'

The Kerala unit of the CPI-M on Monday suspended P.K. Sasi for six months from its primary membership for misbehaving with a women member, a communique said.

The decision was taken here after a meeting examined a detailed probe report submitted by a party committee consisting Law Minister A.K. Balan and Kannur Lok Sabha member P.K. Sreemathi.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist communique said the Shornur legislator had not behaved befitting his stature and position while speaking to the woman and hence the action was being taken.

After the Congress and the BJP cried foul, Sreemathi told the media that the probe conducted was proper.

"We found out that there was merit in her complaint and the party has taken the action," she said.

"I don't think she will approach the police as she has full faith in our party," Sreemathi added.

The woman member had to write to party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury after her August complaint to the state leadership did not yield action.

In November, she wrote to Yechury that she had lost faith in the state leadership as even after three months there had been no action against Sasi.

She also pointed out that despite her complaint, Sasi was seen sharing a stage with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The action came just a day ahead of the Kerala Assembly session on Tuesday.

The opposition said the need of the hour was to report the matter to the police.

"The party probe has found out that the legislator has erred and hence the police should step in and take the case towards its logical conclusion," Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said.

"The police should register a case and legal steps must be initiated against Sasi," he added.

State BJP chief P. Sreedharan Pillai asked: "Who are they to conduct a probe and declare punishment in a case of this nature? We have all the required machinery -- the police and the court -- and no time should be lost. The party should immediately report it to the police."

--IANS

sg/in/mr