CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has indicated that it is a transgression of the party line to give prominence to an expelled member, in this case Mr Somnath Chatterjee who is to be the main speaker at the first Jyoti Basu Memorial Lecture, sources disclosed.
As per the Red rule book, comrades are not expected to share platforms with expelled members. But the party’s West Bengal leaders have simply ignored him, making it clear the state was in “no mood to pay heed to his views”, a central committee member said.
If this was not enough, Mr Karat’s stringent anti-Congress stand also took a hit with the Bengal comrades inviting Dr Manas Bhunia. The Bengal leaders, however, claimed that since the function was being organised by the state Assembly, some MPs and MLAs have been invited.
It may be recalled that Mr Karat’s decision to snap ties with the Congress was not welcomed by the Bengal CPI(M). CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had indicated that the move would be suicidal and could result in the resurgence of the Trinamul Congress. Mr Karat, who was working to install a third front at the Centre, didn’t think so.
The Congress’ decision to accept the invitation and share the dais with the CPI(M) in Bengal has, however, set rumour mills spinning. “It’s clear that Congress has no option but to go with Mamata at this juncture, but it’s also clear that in the state the Congress would always keep its options open,” the CPI(M) functionary said.