CPM keeps the door open for Somnath?

The CPM is keeping the door open for Somnath Chatterjee to appeal against his expulsion.

This indication came from party general secretary Prakash Karat himself who, after attending the meeting of the West Bengal party state committee in Kolkata, said there are provisions in the party constitution for appeal. At the meeting, questions were raised about the action against Chatterjee and whether reinstatement was possible.

First in Hyderabad and now in Kolkata, twice since Somnath Chatterjee's expulsion, Prakash Karat has described the need for the action as unfortunate and indicated that an appeal against the expulsion under Article 19 Clause 13 of the party constitution was still possible.

"Our party constitution has various provisions for appeal. The questions is, as far as this matter is concerned, I don't want to say anything more," said Prakash Karat, general secretary, CPM.

In Kolkata to attend a meeting of the state committee of the West Bengal unit of the CPM, Karat addressed questions raised on Somnath Chatterjee's expulsion. Only one member of the committee, Subhash Chakraborty, has publicly sided with Chatterjee.

"Whether he continues as Speaker is for him to decide. Whether he should be in the party is for the party to decide," said Karat.

The CPM has decided to explain to party members in greater detail the decision to expel Somnath Chatterjee. Whether he plans to appeal against his expulsion is not known but the Speaker is expected in Kolkata on Monday and likely to meet Jyoti Basu.

Courtesy:ndtv.com
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