The Hindu : Front Page : Basu to step down as CPI(M) Polit Bureau member

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 03, 2005

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Front Page

Basu to step down as CPI(M) Polit Bureau member

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, APRIL 2. The veteran CPI(M) leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu, will seek the party's approval for relinquishing his post as Polit Bureau member due to failing health.

The 91-year-old Marxist leader, among the best known Communist faces of the country, will place a proposal to this effect before the coming party congress slated for April 6 in New Delhi.

"I had sought the leadership's permission to resign from the Polit Bureau at the last congress. Even after I leave the Polit Bureau, I will still be available to my party," Mr. Basu commented.

Anil Biswas, secretary of CPI(M)'s West Bengal unit, however, said the party had no desire to release Mr. Basu from the position he had been holding for the past 40 years.

"Yes, he has been unwell for quite some time. But the way he works for the organisation at this age, many of us cannot."

Mr. Basu had quit as Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2001 on the ground of ill-health.

The CPI(M) leadership had tried to make him change his mind several times but finally gave in realising that Mr. Basu had a good reason for concern.

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