cpi-m-expels-former-mp-over-obscene-chat-scandal

The CPI(M) expelled former Member of Parliament (MP) and ex-minister Vansagopal Chowdhury late on Saturday night after screenshots of an alleged obscene conversation with a female party leader went viral, said sources in the party.

 

The controversy traces back to the CPI(M) state conference held last February, when a female leader claimed via a Facebook post that Vansagopal had sent her obscene messages through Messenger and WhatsApp. Although there were whispers about the incident within the party, no public action was initially taken.

 

The matter escalated after the recent Brigade rally when screenshots of the alleged conversation began circulating widely on social media, sparking outrage, particularly among the party's female members.

 

Several women leaders from Murshidabad openly criticised Vansagopal, with leader Aparna Kumar reposting the complaint and labelling him as "characterless". Tensions within the party grew quickly.

 

CPM State Secretary Mohammad Salim commented on the issue, saying, "The party's internal investigation committee handled the matter. The internal investigation prompted the move to expel Vansagopal, signalling the party’s zero-tolerance stance on such matters."

 

Meanwhile, Vansagopal defended himself, claiming he was the victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by a faction within the party.

 

Despite his claims, the party moved swiftly after the controversy intensified. According to party sources, Vansagopal was expelled on Saturday night following an internal review.

 

The female leader, a former councillor of Jiaganj-Azimganj Municipality, detailed her experience, mentioning that her Facebook page—highlighting her social work for the party—had initially attracted supportive comments from Vansagopal. However, she alleged that the nature of his messages later turned obscene.

 

In November last year, she brought the matter to the attention of the district leadership, but no significant action was taken. Her anger reignited when photos of Vansagopal attending the state conference surfaced. In a strongly worded post, she questioned, "How does this characterless, lustful person represent the CPI(M) at a state-level conference?"

 

After her post and the viral spread of the screenshots, party leadership, under mounting pressure, was compelled to take decisive action.