The CPI(M) State committee that met here on Monday decided to suspend P.K. Sasi, MLA, from the primary membership of the party for six months for allegedly making an indecent phone call to an woman Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader.
The decision comes in the wake of findings by an inquiry committee appointed by the party. The committee found that Mr. Sasi, who is also a member of the Palakkad district secretariat, had conducted himself in a manner unbecoming of a party leader.
A statement from the party said the State committee’s decision would be implemented with the concurrence of the central committee.
CPI(M) had appointed a two-member committee, comprising central committee members A.K. Balan and P.K. Sreemathy to probe the issue after the the woman DYFI leader submitted a complaint of harassment with the party State leadership.
The committee heard the version of the complainant as well as Mr. Sasi, who represents Shornur in the Assembly. They also heard out other local leaders before arriving at the conclusion. The inquiry committee is understood to have submitted details of call records of Mr. Sasi to the party in support of its inquiry report.
The party decision to initiate disciplinary action against Mr. Sasi would not affect his functioning as MLA, but suspension of membership is deemed to a strong disciplinary action against a party member.