Malda: Trinamool on Thursday expelled Narendranath Tiwari, who was arrested on Wednesday for the Jan 2 murder of his TMC colleague, Dulal Sarkar.
Malda TMC president and MLA Abdul Rahim Boxi announced Tiwari's expulsion from the party. Trinamool vice-president Jayprakash Majumdar said in Kolkata that the decision was in line with the directive issued by the state brass.
Tiwari, TMC's English Bazar Town president and Malda Hindi cell chief, was named the key conspirator along with his close associate Swapan Sharma in Sarkar's murder. According to police, the duo allegedly commissioned a Rs 50 lakh contract to eliminate him.
"Our beloved leader Dulal Sarkar was brutally murdered and police took prompt action by arresting a number of miscreants. Finally, police arrested Tiwari and we have no place for any criminal in the party. So, he was expelled with immediate effect," Boxi said.
When asked about the party's decision, Tiwari said: "The party has done what it thinks is right." His reaction came when police were taking him for a medical check-up.
Dulal was shot dead near his plywood factory in English Bazar's Jhaljhalia area. So far, seven people have been arrested in connection with the murder, while two assailants are at large.
Tiwari's arrest, however, has not stopped speculation about a "big shot" behind the murder.
After his arrest, Tiwari said: "There is a big shot behind Dulal's murder and in getting me arrested." English Bazar municipality chairperson Krishnendu Choudhury also claimed: "Tiwari was getting support from a big leader of our party. But I can disclose this only to my leader Mamata Banerjee."
Chaitali, widow of the slain neta and herself a TMC councillor, also did not rule out the presence of some more ‘powerful head' behind Tiwari and Sharma.