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CPI(M) reduced to a 'non-actor' in Indian politics: Somnath

Somnath Chatterjee on Tuesday said the CPI-M has reduced itself to a "non-actor" in national politics after withdrawing support to the Congress-led coalition.

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In a stinging attack at his former party, Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Tuesday said the CPI-M has reduced itself to a "non-actor" in national politics after withdrawing support to the Congress-led coalition describing the action as a "big blunder".

Chatterjee also dubbed the loss of a key West Bengal Assembly by-election -- Bishnupur (West) -- to Trinamool Congress as a "huge embarrassment" for the CPI(M). Describing as a "big blunder" the CPI(M)'s withdrawal of support to the UPA last July, the 79-year old veteran politician told PTI in an interview that the party has lost an
opportunity to serve the people.

Chatterjee, who is on a two-day Kerala tour, also made a veiled attack on CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat by saying that the only credible leader the CPI(M) had was Jyoti Basu, who was his mentor.

"The CPI(M) has now reduced itself to a non-actor in national politics. It has failed to feel the pulse of the people and is quickly loosing mass base," Chatterjee said, ruling out his return to the party with which he was associated for decades. Chatterjee was expelled by CPI-M for defying the party directive to quit Speakership after the Left
withdrew support.

Chatterjee's offensive against the CPI(M) is seen significant as it has come ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and close on the heels of Congress and Trinamool Congress
announcing an alliance. Chatterjee claimed that the party's defeat in Bishnupur (West), where it lost by 30,395 votes, was "a pointer to the dwindling mass base of CPI(M) in its citadel". 

He alleged that the party leaders, who harped more on Communist theories, have lost touch with reality. Chatterjee, who announced retirement after a nearly four-decade-long political innings, said he had no plans to rejoin the CPI(M) as "they don't want me".

"If they don't want me in the party, why should I bother," said Chatterjee. He, however, insisted that he would forever remain a "comrade".

"I have said long back that I have retired from active politics. There is no change in my decision," he said, adding he was busy penning his memoirs in which he hopes to put down his thoughts, including the events that led to his expulsion.

Asking the older politicians to make way for younger generation, he said, "To make our Parliament and political system more effective, India requires larger number of committed and well-meaning youth to come forward to occupy the political space." 

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