Raghavan and Gowri have survived in politics to tell their tales—both formed their own outfits that are now part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

But many other high-profile leaders who were expelled got reduced to the margins of politics. Like Saiffuddin Chaudhary, who was a Central Committee member when he was eased out in 2000 for demanding democratic functioning and transparency in party. The unofficial reason was his hobnobbing with the Congress. In his case, the party, however, did not use the term “expel’” but said his membership had been “struck off from the party rolls.”

“I respect Somnath Chatterjee for whatever he has done for his political and personal integrity. By expelling Somnath, the CPI(M) has once again proved that it is deeply hierarchical, arrogant and foolish,” he said on Wednesday.

The long arm of the party did not spare its long-time Politburo member and former Tripura Chief Minister Nripen Chakraborty either. The veteran communist was sacked in 1995 for opposing the party’s decision on change of leadership in the state. He was re-inducted in 2004, just before his death.

Central Committee member Mangat Ram Pasla was expelled in 2001 for “indulging in anti-party activities”. But sources say the ideological difference on proximity to the Congress, between then party General Secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet and his detractors in Punjab, was one of the reasons.