Polls 2011: CPI(M) was disconnected from people, says Somnath

Expelled CPI(M) leader and former speaker Somnath Chaterjee today said the party fared poorly as it was disconnected from the people of West Bengal and failed to understand their mood.

"Clearly there was disconnect with the people and party leaders could not understand the mood of the people," Chatterjee, who was expelled from the CPI-M, said.

Asked about the reason for the Left's rout in West Bengal, he said, "Some mistakes were made and proper reviews were not made."

"This was already reflected in last Lok Sabha elections even though the Front tried to recover," the CPI(M) stalwart, who was expelled from the party for anti-party activities during the trust vote sought by the Manmohan Singh government in 2008, said.

Referring to the party's rectification drive, he said, "Rectification campaign did not help them."

To a question what advise he would give to the party, he said, "I am not a member of CPI(M) so I cannot advise CPI(M)".

Chatterjee said, "I congratulate people and hope for peace and development in the state."

Chatterjee had campaigned for party leader and state housing minister Gautam Deb in his Dum Dum constituency and for CPI(M) candidates Fuad Halim and Satarup Ghosh in the Ballygunge and Kasba constituencies.