CPM rectification in Maoist land begins with expulsion

“We hope to regain the lost ground by carrying out an effective rectification drive and reforms within the party. The party’s image was dented because of these three leaders. So we decided to expel them,” a local CPM zonal committee member told The Indian Express.

“Several CPM workers have died a martyrs’ death holding the party flag high. We cannot allow corrupt elements to stay in the party when workers are shedding their blood almost everyday to keep alive the party in the face of the Maoists’ terror campaign,” another local CPM leader said.

According to the party,37 CPM leaders and workers were killed by the Maoists in the last three years in Belpahari alone.

The losing of majority in the panchayat samiti did not deter the leadership to expel the three members. The CPM had bagged 14 seats in the 2008 panchayat poll. Two panchayat samiti members were killed by the Maoists at the height of tribal movement,and the expulsion of three have led to party’s strength reduced to nine in the council of 26.

“We have of course lost majority in the panchayat samiti,but by expelling the three corrupt leaders,we have sent out a clear message to the tribal people that the party would no longer support corruption,” said a member of the zonal committee.