Quitting CPI(M) Was Political Decision: Jagmati Sangwan

New Delhi: Expelled CPI(M) leader Jagmati Sangwan, who opposed the party's alliance with Congress in West Bengal assembly polls, today said her resignation was a "political decision" and not part of any "personal rivalry".

In her second Facebook post on the issue in four days, she said she would "never" do anything to harm the interests of the Communist movement.

"Considering my resignation was in my opinion a step to strengthen the party, there is no question now of trying to weaken the party or any mass organisation. My decision was an entirely political decision and to interpret it as some kind of personal rivalry is absolutely wrong," said Ms Sangwan who heads CPI(M)-backed women's organisation AIDWA.

Media reports suggested that the opposition within the party's Central Committee (CC) to the tie-up with Congress in West Bengal was the fallout of a factional rift.

Earlier this week, Ms Sangwan had targeted CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on the alliance with Congress in Bengal.

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The woman activist, in her latest post, said that "as someone who has always tried to put her organisational responsibilities before my personal interest, I cannot in anyway involve myself in any activity that will cause damage to what we have achieved together while trying to carry forward the glorious history of Communist movement."

General secretary of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), Ms Sangwan said she would like to continue to make her contribution towards strengthening the struggle for women's equality to the best of her ability.

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Ms Sangwan had walked out of the CPI(M) Central Committee meeting on June 20 and announced quiting the party over the West Bengal poll alliance issue, after which she was expelled from the party for "gross indiscipline".

CPI(M) faced a humiliating defeat in the assembly polls in its erstwhile bastion of West Bengal, winning only 26 seats in the 294-member House.