But at the same time, there is no reason for him to relax, as the simmering discontent among CPI(M)’s West Bengal leaders may snowball into a split in the leadership.
KOLKATA: There is no reason for CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat to apprehend an immediate revolt against him by the party’s Bengal-line on the issue of Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee’s expulsion. But at the same time, there is no reason for him to relax, as the simmering discontent among CPI(M)’s West Bengal leaders may snowball into a split in the leadership.
Chatterjee, who made an unscheduled visit to Kolkata on Monday, refused to say anything on the issue to reporters, who went on chasing him from airport to governor house and then to a local hospital, where he went to meet one of his ailing relatives. He also cancelled his scheduled meeting with his mentor and nonagenarian CPI(M) leader, Jyoti Basu, who is also quite unhappy with his expulsion.
When this correspondent asked him why he was so silent, Somnath said, “Whatever I have to say, I will say at a proper time.”
Unlike the CPI(M) legacy of politburo’s decision being considered an unquestionable verdict in the party’s rank and file, the Somnath issue has, for the first time, evoked rumblings of discontent among Bengal leaders though at a very low note. There had also been questions that the sub-clause 13 of the party constitution, under which Chatterjee was expelled, was not fit to be used in his case.
Apart from the controversial state transport minister, Subhash Chakrabarty, none of the Bengal comrades, were vocal in describing Chatterjee’s expulsion as unjustified.
However, in the past two days of interaction with Karat, almost all top-ranking CPI(M) leaders from the state made it clear that Chatterjee was expelled in haste.
State tourism minister Manab Mukhopadhyay and party MP Tarit Baran Topdar said the CPI(M) should now take steps to bring him back in the party.
Meanwhile, party sources said the sub-clause 13, which was invoked to expel Chatterjee, clearly says this clause can be applied against a member who grossly violates party line or acts as the informer for police or rival political parties.
“However, none of these is applicable against Chatterjee, especially when the party earlier left the decision to him on whether he wanted to quit as Speaker,” a party theoretician said.
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