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

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.