Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM central committee on Monday rejected the West Bengal unit’s electoral alliance with the Congress but stopped short of announcing any disciplinary action to avert a split in the party. Dramatic scenes were witnessed outside AKG Bhavan, the party headquarters in New Delhi, when the firebrand central committee member Jagmati Sangwan stormed out of the meet, accusing the leadership of diluting the political tactical line adopted in the Visakhapatnam congress.
“It is against the politburo resolution because they have resolved that the electoral line adopted in West Bengal was not in consonance with political tactical line. Whereas I feel that it was a violation,” a sobbing Jagmati told mediapersons outside AKG Bhavan. Within half an hour, the central committee came out with a brief statement.
“The central committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) now in session in New Delhi has decided to expel Jagmati Sangwan (member of the central committee) from the primary membership of the party for gross indiscipline.” Majority of the 77 CC members who took part in the discussions held over the last three days opposed the Bengal unit’s electoral tactics. But barring Jagmathy, none opposed the CC resolution that spared the Bengal unit of disciplinary action.
She reportedly stood up and sought to know whether action would be taken against the Bengal unit for violating the tactical line. On getting a negative reply from the leadership, Jagmathy announced her resignation and walked out of the meeting.
Later at a press conference, Mr Sitaram Yechury, party general secretary, said CC concluded that the electoral tactics adopted in West Bengal were not in consonance with the CC decision for not having an alliance or understanding with the Congress. “This should be rectified and the electoral line of the party should adhere to the political tactical line that was adopted in the party congress. The central committee authorised the politburo to ensure the implementation of this political tactical line in consultation with the West Bengal state secretariat,” he said.
On Jagmathy’s expulsion, the party general secretary said, “Com Manik Sarkar was chairing the session on the most important issue. When the decision was being taken, Jagmathy got up and said she wanted to resign. Sarkar asked her to hold on and allow the discussions on the agenda to get over. Jagmathy was told that since she was raising a different issue, it could be taken up after the completion of the discussions on the agenda. However, she chose to leave the meeting. After coming out she announced the resignation publicly.”
