Overview
- The expulsion was conveyed in a letter by general secretary Swami Biswatmananda after an emergency meeting of the Sangha’s governing body at its headquarters.
- The internal circular said electioneering is incompatible with the ideals of renunciation and warned that future violations would draw firm action.
- Swami Jyotirmayananda, known as Utpal Maharaj, was named by the BJP to replace sitting MLA Soumen Roy as its candidate for the Kaliaganj Assembly seat.
- The monk says he had already resigned from the order before entering the contest, a claim that contrasts with the Sangha’s account of expulsion.
- Opponents reacted in Kaliaganj—where the BJP has recently held an edge—with Trinamool Congress candidate Nitai Baisya questioning the monk’s move into electoral politics.