The CPI(M) in West Bengal has expelled its three-time former MP from Asansol, Bansa Gopal Chowdhury, from the party over allegations that he sent obscene WhatsApp messages to a woman party colleague.
Chowdhury, 65, who was the party’s Paschim Bardhaman district committee member, was expelled following an internal investigation by the party on the woman’s complaint that he subjected her to “virtual sexual harassment” with inappropriate and offensive messages.
According to the woman, she formally lodged a complaint with the CPM’s district unit in November 2024.
“Bansa Gopal had promised to give me information about an organisation. When I did not receive any information, I asked him for the same. Later, he started sending me obscene messages on Facebook Messenger,” she wrote.
The complainant further said that she shared her phone number with Chowdhury, as she wanted his inputs with regards to a district mouthpiece of the party, which she is associated with.
The allegations became public after the CPM’s state-level conference in Dankuni, Hooghly, in February.
“We have never tolerated such incidents within the party. We will not do so in future either. We will not tolerate such a trend…,” a state CPM leader said.
He also suggested that the expelled party leaders may join the BJP or the Trinamool.
Reacting to the development, Bansa Gopal Chowdhury said, “I have been trapped in a planned manner.”
“Those who set this trap are linked with a group from Howrah. They were arrested for illegal activities in hospitals during Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s tenure (as CM),” he said.
“Earlier, a girl was sent to speak against me. The party did not believe it then. why is the party not expelling those who fabricate such stories?…,” Chowdhury added. “On Thursday, I had a last chat with the state secretary on WhatsApp. I wanted to quit myself…,” Chowdhury said.
“This issue was put on social media in a planned manner.. A section of the party has always been working against me… Even when I was an MLA or a minister, a small section of my party used to spread rumours that I was involved in the coal business. But I had to fight against the false propaganda,” Chowdhury alleged.