Days after CID launched a probe into the alleged use of forged signatures of party legislators in a communication submitted to the Bengal assembly secretariat endorsing Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday expelled two of its MLAs for alleged anti-party activities. The two legislators are Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee.
These two MLAs were suspended after Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari in a press conference informed that the two have filed complaints in connection with the ‘fake signature’ case in the state assembly, where the TMC endorsed Sohandeb Chattopadhyay as the LoP.
Taking action against its MLAs, Trinamool Congress said, “It has been brought to the notice of the All India Trinamool Congress through its competent authority that, despite having been elected as a candidate nominated by the AITC, you have repeatedly failed to attend meetings convened by the authorised leadership of the party and have made yourself involved in anti-party activities,” a communication addressed to the two MLAs said.
“It has also been observed that you have engaged in activities and made statements that are prejudicial to the interests of the AITC,” the party added.
After due consideration of the matter, the communication stated, the “competent authority of the AITC has decided to expel you from the (primary) membership of the party with immediate effect.”
CID Visits Abhishek Banerjee’s Residence, Serves Second Notice
The development coincided as CID sleuths visited the residence of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee in Kalighat area for the second time in a little over 48 hours in connection with a signature forgery case, and served second notice to the Lok Sabha MP for June 8, officials said.
The development came hours after Banerjee sought 15 days from the probe agency, citing health reasons. The CID summoned him in connection with a probe into the alleged use of forged signatures of party legislators in a communication submitted to the assembly secretariat.
A CID team reached the TMC MP’s residence around 5.30 pm and took videos of the premises as part of its investigation, an officer of the probe agency said.
“The videography is being conducted to document the premises and collect evidence,” he said.
“The inquiry is progressing in accordance with the law. Necessary statements and materials linked to the case are being examined,” the officer said.
With inputs from PTI