TMC suspends MLA Dipak Haldar

Kolkata: TMC MLA Dipak Haldar, who was arrested on Monday on the orders of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, was on Wednesday suspended from the party, a senior leader said.

"Dipak Haldar has been suspended from the party," state Parliamentary Affairs Minister and TMC Secretary General Partha Chatterjee told PTI.

According to senior party leaders who did not wish to be named, Haldar was suspended under the "direct instructions" of Banerjee as she was miffed with his activities.

Haldar was arrested on Monday for his alleged involvement in a clash between rival factions of the party's students' front in a college in South 24 Parganas district.

Following his arrest, an estimated 400 of his supporters had peacefully protested before the local police station against his arrest.

The incident had not gone down well with the party's top leadership.

Haldar was granted bail by a local court yesterday.

The party leaders said the action against Haldar will send out a strong message among a section of party leaders who have been accused of high-handedness in the recent past.