KOLKATA: West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday suspended its legislator Dipak Haldar from the party after he was arrested for his alleged involvement in campus violence.
Haldar, who represents Diamond Harbour assembly constituency in South 24-Parganas district, was on Monday arrested on the orders of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly instigating violence at the Fakir Chand College in his constituency.
The legislator, who was granted bail on Tuesday, has claimed he was not involved in the clash between the rival factions of the Trinamool's students' wings and was there only to pacify them and prevent the clash.
"The party has initiated an inquiry against Dipak Haldar for indiscipline and he shall remain suspended till the pendency of the enquiry," party secretary general Partha Chatterjee said.
Chatterjee, also the state education minister, on Monday minced no words in condemning Haldar for his involvement in the clash.
"Educational institutions are a domain of teachers and students and hooligans," Chatterjee said, and disclosed that the chief minister directed the administration to arrest Haldar.
The disciplinary action comes a day after Haldar alleged that his arrest was a result of a conspiracy by his own partymen to tarnish his image before the party leadership.
Reacting to his suspension, Haldar said he was punished without being given an opportunity to be heard.
"I accept the party's decision, but I still don't know what indiscipline I committed. I regret my decision to go the Fakir Chand College that day (Monday), but at least I should have been given an opportunity by the party to defend myself," Haldar said on Wednesday, adding that he was yet to receive a formal intimation about his suspension from the party.