'Fake signature' row: TMC expels MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee, Sandipan Saha over 'anti-party activities'

The decision was communicated through separate notices issued by the party on June 1, marking a significant disciplinary action against the two elected representatives.

TMC cites organisational indiscipline

According to the notices, both legislators repeatedly failed to attend meetings convened by the authorised leadership of the Trinamool Congress despite being elected on party tickets.

The party stated that its competent authority had reviewed the matter and found that the two MLAs had not complied with organisational directives on multiple occasions.

The notices further alleged that their actions and public statements were prejudicial to the interests of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).

Immediate expulsion from primary membership

Following an internal review, the party leadership decided to remove both legislators from the organisation's primary membership with immediate effect.

The notices informed Sandipan Saha and Ritabrata Banerjee that they would no longer enjoy any position, responsibility, authority or privilege associated with the Trinamool Congress from the date the disciplinary order came into force.

"After due consideration of the matter, the competent authority of AITC has decided to expel you from the (primary) membership of the Party with immediate effect," the notices stated.

Nature of allegations not detailed

While the party referred to anti-party activities and conduct harmful to organisational interests, the notices did not specify the exact incidents or statements that led to the disciplinary action.

The Trinamool Congress maintained that the decision followed consideration of the matter by the party's competent authority.

Move comes after CM's presser

The expulsions came shortly after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said in a press conference here at Nabanna that Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha submitted a complaint before the Speaker of the Assembly, alleging that signatures of multiple TMC MLAs were forged on an official party resolution document.

The matter is being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

However, there was no immediate reaction from either Sandipan Saha or Ritabrata Banerjee following the announcement of their expulsion.