CPI(M) expels 3-time MP over 'obscene chat' with female colleague row

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in West Bengal has expelled senior leader and three-time Lok Sabha MP Bansa Gopal Chowdhury on charges of misconduct towards a woman colleague. The decision comes after serious allegations surfaced regarding inappropriate behaviour.

On April 20, a woman party leader, who is also a former councillor from Jiaganj-Azimganj Municipality, accused Chowdhury of sending obscene messages via WhatsApp. She shared screenshots of the alleged conversations on social media, demanding strict disciplinary action against him.

The allegations, however, were not new. The woman had reportedly informed the party leadership back in November last year. Following the complaint, the matter was handed over to CPI(M)'s internal complaints committee for investigation.

Bansa Gopal Chowdhury, a former state cabinet minister and ex-Lok Sabha member from the Asansol constituency in West Burdwan, consistently denied the accusations, calling them a part of a larger conspiracy against him. Despite his denials, the internal committee continued its probe.

After the recent social media revelations, the party leadership acted swiftly. On Sunday morning, CPI(M) officially announced Chowdhury’s expulsion through a formal notification. The statement mentioned that Chowdhury had refused to reform himself despite multiple efforts by party leaders. However, it did not go into specifics regarding the nature of the allegations.

A senior state committee member commented, “We might not have numbers in Parliament or Assembly, but we do not tolerate moral degeneration. It remains to be seen whether Chowdhury will now seek refuge in Trinamool Congress."