File Photo: Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Trinamool Congress (TMC) today suspended party MLA Dipak Haldar, who was arrested on Monday on the orders of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, even as Mr Haldar said it would have been better if the party had sought his version before taking the decision.
The legislator, however, said he would not speak a word against the party, but added that it would have been better if the party had consulted him before taking any action.
"Dipak Haldar has been suspended from the party," a senior party leader said.
Reacting to his suspension, Mr Haldar said, "I have been with the party since the very beginning. It would have been better if the party had sought my version before taking a decision.
"I may not be within the party, but I will still work for the party. Mamata Banerjee is my leader. It is only because of her that I have become what I am today. I am thankful to her," he said.
The suspension of Mr Haldar, MLA from Diamond Harbour in 24 South Parganas district, comes just two days after he was arrested by the police under direct instructions of Ms Banerjee for being allegedly involved in a clash between rival factions of the party's students' front in a college of the district.
Around 400 of his supporters had protested before thelocal police station against his arrest, which had also not gone down well with the party leadership.
Mr Haldar was granted bail by a local court yesterday.
TMC leaders said the action against Mr Haldar would send out a strong message among a section of party leaders who have been accused of high-handedness in the recent past.