Leadership change call grows louder, CPI-M not ready to listen

KOLKATA: The persistent call for a change in the CPI(M) leadership since its dismal show in the Lok Sabha polls, not only grew louder today, but unprecedentedly came calling at the gates of the party's West Bengal state headquarters Muzaffar Ahmed Bhavan.

For the first time in the history of the CPI(M) since its formation in 1964 after breaking away from CPI, a rally was organised outside the Alimuddin Street party headquarters by both present and expelled leaders, who questioned the party's top brass and demanded an immediate change in party leadership in order to save it from being wiped out from state politics.

The CPI(M) leadership, however, brushed aside the clamours saying those who were criticising but not using the proper forum within the party, should remain outside.

"We are here not to weaken the Left or CPI(M). We feel the leadership should be changed as it has repeatedly failed," former CPI(M) leader Prasenjit Bose, who was expelled in 2012 for questioning the party's decision to support Congress' presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee said.

"There is no democracy in the party. If you raise questions you will be expelled, but what about the leaders when they deviate from the party line? Why are there different rules for leaders and workers?" he asked.

Questioning the party's idea of collective leadership, Bose alleged it was the present-day leadership's ploy to pass the buck and stick to their chairs.

The CPI(M), which has been down to two seats in West Bengal, has been facing angry protests and demands for a change of guard of Biman Bose and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the state level and Prakash Karat as party's general secretary.

The voices of dissent were, however, expelled from the party, in the name of party discipline. The latest addition to the list was of Subhanil Chowdhury who was in-charge of the party's social networking platform after he openly criticised the party.

"I had questioned the party leadership at various occasions for the last few years but my queries were never answered. Rather, I was snubbed. And all of a sudden I was expelled because I had raised questions, and that too within the party," said Chowdhury.

Former CPI(M) minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah, who was expelled earlier this year, had also questioned the political acumen of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

"He knows nothing about politics. He along with other comrades are living in a fool's paradise. They have failed to stand by the comrades when they were attacked. They should immediately step down," Mollah had said.

CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose earlier in the day ruled out any immediate change in the party's leadership.

"You can discuss party matters within the party, but those who want to discuss and criticise it outside the party platform should stay outside the party," he said.