In a move that tends to send out a message to the left gallery, the CPI(M) on Friday suspended high profile MP Ritabrata Banerjee allegedly for leading a lifestyle that defied Marxist code of personal conduct.
A vocal member of Rajya Sabha, Banerjee, was suspended for three months during which a three-member high-level committe would complete the probe. He would, however, be allowed to carry on his obligations as a people’s representative, State CPI(M) secretary and party politburo member Suryakanto Mishra said.
The probe committee would comprise party MP and politburo member Md Salim, State secretariat members Madan Ghosh and Mridul Dey, sources said.
Though Mishra refused to comment on the issue saying “The party regulations says statements on such issues can only be made if a member is expelled from the party or one is publicly indicted.”
However, insiders said on conditions of anonymity that he was suspended in the wake of repeated complaints pouring in from a numberof quarters, including women, about his “lavish and un-Marxist-like lifestyle.”
The controversy dates back to a few months when stories went viral in the social media on how he tried to victimise a Democratic Youth Federation of India member because he questioned his lavish life style. The MP even allegedly asked his office boss to sack him.
As the issue went viral in the social media, senior leaders cautioned Banerjee on his ways. Notwithstanding, more complaints poured in this time forcing the top brass to take the decision to suspend the MP till the inquiry against him is over.