TMC expels controversial leader Arabul Islam

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal today announced expulsion of controversial leader Arabul Islam and Jehangir Khan for a period of six years on charges of indiscipline and misconduct.
TMC secretary general and state education minister Partha Chatterjee said the decision to expel the two leaders had been taken by the disciplinary committee of the party which went through the primary report submitted after the October 25 violence at Bhangor in South 24 Parganas which claimed two lives.
The violence had been to gain control of a gram panchayat in an intra-party rivalry.
The expulsion of the two leaders has been approved by the party. "There is no place for indiscipline in the party. We had earlier said repeatedly that violence in any form would not be tolerated under Mamata Banerjee's leadership. Those found to be delinquent in this regard will be punished," he told reporters.

Earlier too, TMC workers and leaders who had gone astray and were indisciplined, whether a councillor or a borough committee chairman, had been punished by the party, he said.
"The probe is not yet complete. If any new name crops up, then the person would also be punished," Chatterjee added.

Islam's name had cropped up several times in the past several years in connection with clashes in Bhangor area in the southern fringes of the city, where money flows in from local fisheries and nearby leather complex.
In a message to partymen, Chatterjee said no one should approach the media or speak about the perceived problems which were purely internal to the party. "Party workers should report to the party first and not go the media," he said.

Without naming a TMC MP and an MLA from East Midnapore district who have been trading charges against each other over party matters, Chatterjee said if they came across any undemocratic developments within the party they should desist from speaking to the media.
"I have spoken to the two concerned persons over phone. If needed letters will be sent to them," he said.
Referring to BJP, which is trying to grab the principal opposition status in the state, Chatterjee said the lotus (the party's symbol) would never bloom in West Bengal.