Kolkata: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has suspended its leader and former West Bengal MLA Tanmoy Bhattacharya after a woman journalist levelled allegations of indecency and physical harassment against him.
The woman, who claimed that she had gone to Bhattacharya's house in the morning to interview him, later went live on Facebook to make her allegation public.
"I am mentally devastated by his behaviour. He had on earlier occasions also behaved improperly with me. But I chose to ignore. May be, I should not have ignored such behaviour," she said in her post.
The journalist alleged that Bhattacharya on Sunday morning "sat on my lap" in the presence of her cameraperson.
Admitting that the accusation against Bhattacharya has dented the party's image in the public mind, the CPI-M state committee said "the party does not support the alleged behaviour of Bhattacharya with the journalist who was carrying out her professional duty."
"Such behaviour is inimical to the high standard expected from CPI-M leaders, workers and loyalists. Considering the gravity of the allegation, Bhattacharya has been suspended as a member," the party said.
It also announced that the woman's allegation has been referred to the party's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and further action would be contemplated based on the panel's recommendation.
Bhattacharya on his part told a media outlet: "By nature, I crack jokes with everybody. In the past, this girl has interviewed me at least ten times. I have cracked jokes with her earlier also. I do not know what all has happened today."
Bhattacharya, a former state president of the CPI-M's youth wing DYFI, was a member of the state Assembly from North Dumdum constituency from 2016 to 2021. He was till today an invitee to the North 24 Parganas district committee.
Meanwhile, the victim has also lodged a police complaint against Bhattacharya.
An officer said an inquiry has been initiated based on the complaint.