Mamata threatens to expel corrupt councillors from TMC

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today threatened those party councillors, who are involved in syndicate business, to mend their ways or else they will be thrown out of the party.
Syndicate is a racket in which people enjoying political patronage force contractors into buying inferior building materials from them at a premium.
At a meeting of TMC councillors here, "Mamatadi gave us a piece of her mind. She clearly said she would not tolerate syndicate and money making businesses using the name of the party in the days to come," a councillor present at the meeting said.

Banerjee said she will not tolerate this as the image of the party is getting tarnished due to some councillors.
"You have to decide whether you want to make money for two years or remain councillors for a longer tenure. I will not tolerate corruption. I will take action and throw you out of the party," the councillor said quoting Banerjee.
According to another leader present at the closed door meet, the TMC supremo asked the councillors from Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation to stand up and slammed them for their alleged involvement in the syndicate business.

Stating that one TMC councillor of Bidhannagar is in jail over charges of extortion, she said they should be ashamed of it and stay away from syndicate business.

Banerjee told Bidhannagar councillors not to do anything which is considered as anti-people, stay with the masses, share their problems try to solve them.
"Those who are in the party for the sake of money should go out. Don't take money for sanctioning of floors or buildings plans. And stay away from the business of real estate and building materials," a councillor from South Dum Dum said quoting the Chief Minister.
Votes in municipal areas have come down in comparison to those in rural areas due to corruption and high handed attitude of a section of party councillors, a senior TMC leader said during the meeting.

The TMC issued a two-page dos and don't s dossier for the party councillors asking them not to refer anyone for getting license or permission for construction.
"This is the last warning to councillors. Henceforth if we receive any compliant, the police administration will take action and the party will remove or suspend that councillor," a senior TMC leader told PTI.
Banerjee had on August 7 too asked TMC workers to stay away from syndicate business, otherwise action will be taken against them.