The CPI(M) has removed nearly 50,000 of its inactive members in West Bengal in the past two-and-a-half years.
Party sources said the decision to do so followed the membership criteria fixed at the Kolkata Plenum of the party in December 2015. Prior to the removal, the CPI(M) had nearly 2.5 lakh members in the State.
Lack of regular participation in party activities, age-related inactivity and alleged intimidation from the ruling Trinamool Congress were “major factors” in the process, sources said.
Nearly 900 members were expelled in Kolkata for “maintaining covert connections with the Trinamool,” a senior CPI(M) State committee member told The Hindu .
“We now leave no stone unturned to prevent entry of members who are likely to become liabilities for the party in the future,” another senior State Committee member said.
The drive to remove inactive members was initiated by State secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra, senior party leaders said.
