Facebook post sparks fresh row in CPI(M)

A post in Facebook by a party leader demanding expulsion of CPI(M) leader who had proposed alliance with Congress has sparked off fresh controversy in the party. Basudeb Roy, a party leader had earlier put up posters on the walls of Alimuddin Street against the alliance. The party leaders reprimanded him and termed his activity as “anti-party.”

In his Face Book account, Roy demanded that the protagonists of the alliance like Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Surya Kanta Misra, Mohammad Selim and Gautam Deb should be expelled from 

the party for flouting the Central Committee’s decision which stated that it would maintain equidistance from Congress and BJP.

Even the politburo in its statement issued last week had stated: “In West Bengal the strategy was not in consonance with the party’s central committee decision.” 

Party insiders said the Central Committee might “censure” Surya Kanta Misra. As Buddhadeb Bhattacharya is an invitee member, he would be spared.

They reiterated that the state committee meeting on June 11 and 12 would be stormy as many leaders would speak against the alliance. In a desperate bid to find an escape route, the pro-alliance advocates have already termed those who are raising voice against them as “factionalists.” 

The pro tie-up leaders are in a tight spot because of the poll disaster which has brought only 26 seats. It may be mentioned that before the election CPI(M) leaders had decided to use social media to criticise Mamata Banerjee’s government, but had never thought that this would be boomeranged and cause embarrassment for them.