In the highly codified world of the CPM, expulsion means no hukka-paani with the expelled member. In the party, this is the most severe of all penalties. An expelled member not just stops working for the party, but virtual excommunication follows which means cutting off social ties with him.

So, how will the CPM deal with Somnath Chatterjee? Especially, if he remains the Speaker? How will it discuss House business with him? Will it lobby him for allowing this or that motion? Equally, how will this expulsion affect Chatterjee, for, in CPM most party members are usually very close, often visiting each other's families, travelling together, indeed, in some cases, growing up together.

If a person is thrown out of the party, all this has to stop, even though there is no specific rule prohibiting social interaction. But still, it stops because the assumption is a member is expelled only because he or she has in some way caused harm to the party, its goals and objectives.

And he can potentially cause similar harm to the organization in the future. That's why social interaction with the expelled member is actively discouraged. There are deep suspicions that the expelled member might try to win over the cadres and inject "dangerous ideas" in their minds.

Somnath Chatterjee is unlikely to be treated differently. Even if some party members have had a longstanding relationship with him, they will now be very wary of maintaining touch with him lest they draw the attention of the top leadership and attract its displeasure.

A veteran of several decades, Chatterjee would be close to a vast number of party members and would normally interact with an even larger number. All this is expected to end now. Since he holds a powerful position, his moves are expected to be under close scrutiny by the party in case there is an attempt by him to either float a new political outfit or tie up with an existing one. There will also be the fear of him trying to wean away his supporters, especially those that he developed in his long tenure as MP and then Speaker.

It will be interesting to see how the CPM MPs tackle this situation as they might have to deal with Chatterjee constantly. It is an uncharted territory for the party, for usually, they don't come face-to-face with expelled members, much less those who were once powerful in the party.