CPI(M) split over Somnath issue

Chakrabarty was a protege of former chief minister and CPI(M) senior leader Jyoti Basu like Chatterjee. A section of Left leaders had interpreted his comment as reflecting the viewpoint of Basu but Basu had reportedly refused to endorse Chakrabarty's line.

The CPI(M) and state committee of the Left Front would meet in Kolkata on July 18 and 19 to discuss the July 22 vote.