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CPI (M) in Bengal cuts its nose to spite the face; expels young MP Ritabrata

Published

9 years ago

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CPI (M) in Bengal cuts its nose to spite the face; expels young MP Ritabrata

 By Sujit Bhar

A failing party with a regressive attitude cannot expect to face the might of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress

As it finally turned out, the expulsion on Wednesday (September 13), of its Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee from the party was the result of a factional feud within the CPI (M) and his three-month suspension, announced on June 2, was just a precursor to this expulsion.

Of course, Banerjee had gone to the popular local television channel ABP Ananda and poured his heart out about the reportedly pernicious nature of associations that the Prakash and Brinda Karat faction brought to the table – Banerjee is unapologetically in the Sitaram Yechury camp – but the initial impression that the Md Salim committee (which looked into the allegations against Banerjee) had given was that he was in the dock for his lavish lifestyle.

Banerjee called Salim the “agent” of the Karats in West Bengal. Such in-the-face comments aren’t what communist regimes are used to, but more than that, Salim’s influence within the party is considerable, and it is being viewed that the Buddhadev Bhattacharya group may be losing traction within the state committee. The Salim committee has maintained that this expulsion order need not be taken to the central committee of the party, since Banerjee has been a state committee member. Hence, this is an internal matter.

Apart from the fact that the very existence of the CPI (M) is at stake around the country, now the credibility of the party as a congress of erudite and bhadralok stalwarts is also in doubt. There have always been differences within the party and expulsions have happened all along the history of the party. But now possibly is a very wrong time to show to the world the cracks within. It is not a very bright idea.

The root of the communist movement in India – with beginnings dating back to MN Roy’s importing of the concept to the sub-continent – has been through trade union movements and farmers’ struggles. Even in the vastly changed scenario around the world today – economically, as well as socially – the seed within certain sections of the CPI (M), itself an offshoot of the CPI, seems to have remained unchanged.

The complexities of today’s society have had a retrograde effect on the party. With failings showing up starkly within the West Bengal chapter of the party, the Karat faction, lying low for long in the state, has reared its head and claimed its first victim. This cannot be good news. There is enough resentment within the youth of the party in Bengal – whatever is left of it – and in the expulsion of a popular youth leader this resentment will only grow. When the old leaders have not been able to show the way out of the current mess, is it advisable to retrace faded footprints in trying to recreate the pure-bred communist utopia that was once the dream?

The Kerala influence in Bengal politics is increasingly becoming stronger. With Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan now a staunch supporter of the Karat group, and boasting a government that the Bengal counterpart does not have, theirs is a voice more clearly heard today. In the 34 years that the CPI (M) ruled Bengal, there was no need to listen to anybody other than home-grown leaders for Bengal’s communists. The Kerala communists also have within its fold a number of top businessmen, who throw their weight behind the communists and the Congress almost alternatively. At this point the money purse belongs to the Kerala communists. Then, there is a huge complement Keralites in West Asia, with repatriation amounts totaling in the billions of dollars. They too, at this point of time, have chosen to support the communists. In the past, when it had suited them, they too had supported the Congress.

That apart, of course, there is the factor of Prakash Karat being a Keralite. He gains trust, despite his antediluvian ideals.

This triple whammy from Kerala was possibly too much for the likes of Banerjee and the Yechury faction to digest. Moreover, with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal so strong that they can wipe out resistance by the BJP too, the local communists have little hope. This means the fangs of age-old communist traditions, given up across the globe, hold sway in Bengal.

Why else would a state committee member’s actions be made out to be openly against the party? Why was this not solved at the state level? Why did the state communists decide to cut the nose to spite the face?

The committee cites some special clause of the party constitution in saying: “In exceptional circumstances party committees in their discretion may resort to summary procedure in expelling members for grave anti-party activities.” What was so special about debate, of a different point of view? Why was it considered abhorrent?

If not the TMC, regression will kill the party in Bengal for sure.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

2 days ago

on

August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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Assam BJP leader Bikash Dhar found dead, 5 arrested for murder

BJP leader Bikash Dhar, 52, was found dead in an abandoned house in Assam’s Sribhumi district after being reported missing on August 12. Police have arrested five people in connection with the alleged murder.

Published

2 days ago

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August 14, 2026

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A 52-year-old BJP leader who had been missing for two days was found dead in Assam’s Sribhumi district on Friday, with police alleging that he was murdered.

Bikash Dhar, a resident of Chagalmowa village under Bazaricherra police station, was found dead inside an abandoned house in the Yogicherra area near the Tripura border on Friday morning.

Dhar’s family had filed a missing complaint on August 12 after he left home following a phone call.

According to his son Madan Dhar, Bikash left around 1 pm after saying that he had to attend an emergency meeting. When he did not return and his phone was switched off, the family began searching for him and later approached the police.

Five arrested in murder case

Sribhumi Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said an investigation was launched after the missing complaint was received. The probe was conducted under the supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime).

Police said five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder. They were identified as Abdul Salam, Sifat Ali, Abdul Ahad, Saiful Ali and Badrul Haque.

According to the police, interrogation of Abdul Salam revealed that the accused had an enmity with Dhar. Police alleged that the group killed him and dumped his body near a water body.

Another person, identified as Sunam Miya, was named during the investigation and reportedly fled to Tripura on the night of the incident.

Police find injury and cut marks on body

Police said injury and cut marks were found on Dhar’s body, and a murder case has been registered.

During the recovery of the alleged weapon, police said accused Badrul Haque attempted to escape from custody. A police constable was injured during the incident.

Police said they fired at Haque’s leg to prevent him from escaping, resulting in a bullet wound.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dhar’s death and the alleged involvement of the accused is underway.

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India News

Karnataka Cabinet clears public property bill amid RSS registration row

Karnataka Cabinet approves a Bill to regulate the use of government premises and public property amid a political row over RSS registration.

Published

3 days ago

on

August 14, 2026

By

Priyank Kharge

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a proposed law to regulate the use of government premises and public property in the state, amid an ongoing political debate over the registration and use of public spaces by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026 was cleared by the Cabinet, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said after the meeting.

According to the government, the proposed legislation aims to establish a legal framework governing the use of government lands, buildings, playgrounds, parks, roads and other public assets by private individuals, organisations, associations and societies.

Kharge said the objective was to prevent unauthorised use and misuse of public property while ensuring that such assets are protected for public benefit.

What the Karnataka public property bill proposes

The proposed legislation is expected to lay down procedures for obtaining permission to use government property for events, meetings and other activities.

It also proposes provisions for penalties in cases involving misuse of government premises or damage to public property, according to officials.

The government is expected to introduce the Bill in the Karnataka legislature, where it will be taken up for discussion and passage.

Priyank Kharge denies Bill targets RSS

The proposed legislation comes against the backdrop of a row involving the RSS and its use of public property in Karnataka.

Kharge, however, rejected speculation that the Bill had been framed specifically against the RSS or any other organisation. He said the government did not have a particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO in mind.

The issue has been part of a wider political debate since 2025, with Kharge opposing the use of government premises and public property by the RSS and calling for the organisation to register formally.

In June, Kharge also wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking clarity on the organisation’s legal status, financial transparency and constitutional accountability.

The development is likely to keep the debate over the use of public property and the legal status of organisations in Karnataka in focus as the proposed legislation moves to the state legislature.

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