Trinamool expels Soumitra Khan, another MP for anti-party activities

West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday expelled two of their MPs for their alleged involvement in various controversies and anti-party activities, a senior party leader said.

Among the two expelled leaders, Soumitra Khan, the MP of Bankura district's Bishnupur Lok Sabha constituency, joined BJP earlier in the day. The other leader Anupam Hazra represents Birbhum district's Bolpur constituency.

"Soumitra Khan got involved in several controversies in the last one year. He did not have any connection with the party. We have repeatedly cautioned him and gave him a lot of time but things did not change. So he has been removed from the party," said Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee.

"On the other hand, Anupam Hazra is involved in more heinous activities. He has made a number of controversial statements on the social media and done certain things which are not in line with party's culture. He has also been expelled," he said.

Khan, who was inducted in the saffron party in New Delhi in the afternoon following his meeting with BJP President Amit Shah, claimed he has left Trinamool as there is no democracy in Bengal.

Taking a swipe at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew and party MP Abhishek Banerjee, Khan said it is not possible that only a certain family from south Kolkata will reign in Bengal.

"There is no democracy in Bengal. I have repeatedly told the party that we should respect common people but that did not happen. Election is going on in the entire country, but not a single blast took place anywhere (outside Bengal). They (Trinamool) are snatching away people's voting rights and giving away the funds received from the Central government. West Bengal cannot be run this way," he said.

"Who is Abhishek Banerjee to decide whether I would get the ticket in 2019 elections from the party? I am a people's representative. People will decide if I am eligible or not. A single family from south Kolkata should not be allowed to rule Bengal," he added.

--IANS

mgr/prs