The CPI(M) on Monday admitted that some element of “alienation” and “anger” was responsible for the drubbing of the Left Front in West Bengal polls and did not rule out a change of Central leadership, saying that the process of introspection is on.
In an interview to a television channel, senior party politburo member Sitaram Yechury said the exercise of introspection is underway but whether that will lead to a leadership change will be decided by the party central committee (CC) which is meeting in June.
To a question on whether someone should take responsibility for the recent poll performance, he said, “It is a question of owning up responsibility for what went wrong and we are in the midst of that exercise... Owning of responsibility has to be collectively done by the leadership”.
Mr Yechury also acknowledged that the withdrawal of Left support to UPA-I had a “collateral damage” as it created a strong Opposition alliance in Bengal but insisted “We had no option”.
On whether a change of leadership can be brought in there if the Central Committee so decides, he said, “Yes, but all these depends on the CC deliberations.” On whether the same leadership under which the debacle took place can probe the causes, Mr Yechury said, “First thing the Central Committee will do is to begin process of introspection of what went wrong with the same existing leadership. As a consequence of that exercise what happens is a different thing... Nobody can say now. This exercise is underway and let us see where it reaches.” He said the party congress is likely to take place at the end of this year.
When asked if it this means that CPI(M) may see a change of leadership by the year-end, Mr Yechury said, “I am not saying this, don’t put words in my mouth... There are possibilities like this in any situation.” He also said “going by our records”, the questions are likely to be “resolved” rather than the CC asking the leadership to step aside.