Left will play important role after polls: Chatterjee

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who was expelled from CPI(M) in the wake of Left withdrawal of support to the UPA Government, today said the party will get "reduced number" of seats this time but will play an "important role" after the polls.  

However he parried questions on whether he will rejoin the CPI-M.  

"The important thing is that nobody is ignoring the Left. It will play an important role in Indian politics. Left has to be at the forefront and I hope it plays a proper role," Chatterjee told reporters after casting his vote here. 

 "It will be a reduced number unfortunately but it will no doubt play an important role in Indian politics. Their importance is that no body is ignoring the Left. Please consider this," he said.  

Asked whether he would rejoin CPI-M and that West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was in touch with him in this regard, Chatterjee said," I do not know. I have not had any talk (with Bhattacharjee) about going back or coming."  

The veteran communist leader, however, maintained: "I did not leave the party on my own. The party felt in its wisdom that I am not fit to be in the party and I have accepted their verdict. I never challenged it. I said I have my own conscience."