CPI(M) rules out change in leadership after poll debacle

CPI(M) today ruled out any change in leadership following the poll debacle in West Bengal and Kerala as top leaders met here to analyse what went wrong for the party in the assembly elections.

The party also dubbed as rumours outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's offer to opt out of the Polit Bureau. However, Bhattacharjee did not attend today's Polit Bureau meeting which analysed the poll results.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member M K Pandhe said the Polit Bureau will have a preliminary discussion on the poll results and the Central Committee will analyse in detail the reasons for the loss in elections.

Asked whether one can expect a leadership change following the poll setback, Pandhe said, "I don't think there is any change in leadership."

He told reporters that reports about Bhattacharjee opting out were not right. "We have not been informed about anything. It is wrong," Pandhe said.

West Bengal CPI(M) Secretary Biman Bose termed as "rumours" reports on Bhattacharjee opting out of Polit Bureau taking responsibility for the drubbing in Bengal polls.

"These are all rumours. It is concocted and manufactured," Bose said.