In the backdrop of the Left parties’ rout in the recently concluded Assembly elections, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided to go for a change in its leadership. The change of guard is all set to be effected in March next year at the party congress.
Though CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan has said that the proposed change has nothing to do with the poll results, the timing cannot be missed.
Talking to journalists after a two-day meeting of the party’s national executive here, Mr Bardhan said, “Our party constitution provides that no general secretary can continue for more than three terms. All I can tell you is that there will be a change as far as the CPI is concerned. I have completed my term.”
On the question of timing, he said, “We will have our 21st party congress in Patna in March next year. That is where a new leadership is elected. But this change has nothing to do with the recent developments. We always take responsibility, both at the collective and individual levels.”
The frontrunner to succeed him is the current deputy general secretary and two-time MP from Nalgonda in Andhra Pradesh, Mr Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy.
The party congress is held once in three years where the party chalks out strategies and formulates its response to major issues.
Conceding that the drubbing received in West Bengal was a huge setback, Mr Bardhan said, “It is, in fact, a big political defeat for the Left and we must accept it.”
He said the Left would continue to work for the welfare of the poor despite the huge loss in the polls.