CPM asks MPs to clarify why they defied party whip

SNS, Kolkata, 16 October: Siliguri, 16 October: The Darjeeling district CPI-M leadership has sought clarification from Ms Jyoti Tirkey, a CPI-M member and sahakari sabhadhipati of Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad (SMP), who voted for the no-confidence motion against the SMP sabhadhipati, defying party’s whip. 

The CPI-M party leadership has also cracked the whip on its four members of the SMP, including Ms Tirkey, asking them not to attend the sabhadhipati election, which is likely to be held on 21 October. 

Three Congress members of the SMP, who recently joined the Trinamul Congress, called for a no-confidence motion against the SMP sabhadhipati, voting him out. Ms Tirkey joined them as the authorities concerned conducted a meeting on 7 October. 

The authorities removed the sabhadhipati, Mr Pascel Minz, and asked the Darjeeling DM to conduct a meeting to elect a new sabhadhipati following a resolution passed during the no-confidence motion. 

The Commissioner, Jalpaiguri division, Mr R D Meena, said: “I have authorised the Darjeeling DM to conduct a meeting to elect a new sabhadhipati.”