Calcutta, March 11: Faced with repeated demands for a change in leadership and taunts that he had done little to boost the beleaguered CPM, Biman Bose today said he didn't want to be part of any committee at the "ripe old age of 75".
Bose's comments came at the end of a debate on the draft political-organisational report that was adopted at the state conference tonight.
"I am 75 now and have dedicated myself to the cause and values of the communist party for several decades. I didn't join the communist party for being a self-seeker. I wanted to serve the toiling masses and rose up the ranks. Now that I hear all sorts of noises are being made about the leadership, I want to say I am no longer interested in being part of any committee," Bose was quoted as saying by a CPM leader and delegate at the state conference.
While rounding up the debate on his report, Bose added: "If people like me do not pave the way for the elevation of junior and youth leaders to the forefront, how will the party gain fresh blood? The time has come for all ageing people like us to make room for the next generation."
Over the past one-and-a-half years, several CPM leaders have questioned the continuance of Bose as state secretary, pinning him down for organisational and electoral lapses.
Whether Bose's admitted reluctance to become the secretary for a third term would mean the deletion of his name from the CPM state secretariat and the state committee is a matter of speculation. But the word is that Bose would still figure as an important entity in the CPM, particularly because he is a politburo member.
Bose's announcement today has set the stage for the succession of leader of the Opposition and CPM politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra as the CPM state secretary, sources said.
They added Mishra was Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's choice as Bose's successor.
"Because of the indisposition of Nirupam Sen and Gautam Deb, Buddhada had no option but to zero in on Surjyada," a leader said.
On behalf of Bhattacharjee, Mishra placed at the state conference today the former chief minister's documentation of his 34 years in the Left Front. Discussions on it will carry on tomorrow with a reply by Bhattacharjee likely.
