Giving a boost to the Trinamool Congress, a CPI-M lawmaker in the West Bengal assembly joined the state's ruling party on Tuesday.
Bulu Chik Baraik, a first time legislator from Jalpaiguri district's Mal constituency which is reserved for tribals, joined the Trinamool at the party's martyrs' day rally in the heart of the city.
"I have joined Trinamool to be part of the development ushered in by chief minister Mamata Banerjee," he told media persons.
Later in the day, the Communist Party of India-Marxist expelled Baraik from its fold.
Asked if Baraik had intimated the party leadership about his grievances, state CPI-M secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra replied in the negative.
"But we feel if there are any others like him who want to cross over to the Trinamool, they can do so. The sooner they go, the better it is for us," he said, after announcing Baraik's expulsion.