CPI(M) Suspends MP Ritabrata Banerjee Over His “Lavish Lifestyle”

A three-member internal inquiry committee has been set up by the party to look into the allegations. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Ritabrata Banerjee)

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee was suspended from the party on 2 June for three months over his "lavish lifestyle".

His (Ritabrata) lifestyle is unlike that of a communist. We have received a lot of complaints. He has been suspended for three months,

A senior CPI(M) leader said speaking on condition of anonymity

A three-member internal inquiry committee has been set up by the party to look into the allegations, details of which were not yet known. The panel will submit its report to the CPI(M) state committee within the next three months, he said.

If the allegations are found to be true, then further action will be taken, and if they are found to be baseless, his suspension will be withdrawn after three months.

CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra declined to comment on the development:

I will not disclose internal matters of our party. Only in case of a public censure of a party leader or expulsion from the party, we come out with a statement.

Banerjee was not available for comment.

This is not the first time that Banerjee has landed himself in trouble. In February, a party member had questioned the use of costly gadgets like Apple watch and Mont Blanc pen by him. Banerjee, using his position as an MP, had reportedly written to the employer of the party member complaining against him.

The CPI(M) state committee had then publicly criticised Banerjee's behaviour and cautioned him.

(With inputs from PTI.)