CPM heading for split in WB

CPM heading for split in WB
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

CALCUTTA, AUG 27: The CPI(M) unit in West Bengal is all set to witness a split. The rebels, among others -- former MP Saifuddin Choudhury, state minister for transport and youth affairs Subhas Chakrabarthy, party South 24 Parganas district committee secretary Samir Patitunda, MP Tarit Topdar -- have been vehement in their demand for intra-party democracy since last year. Possibly by the first week of October, they will formally break away from the party and launch a new outfit.

Choudhury, who has been completely marginalised by the party in the past few months, disclosed this to The Indian Express today. In such an event, the entire political scenario in the State will witness a change and seriously affect the electoral fortunes of the Left Front, keeping the assembly polls in view, which are just six months away.

``There is no point in continuing with the party which does not respect opinion of an individual,'' Choudhury said.

The new outfit will offer an alternative front to the state and will aim restoring peace and expedite development. ``Our aim is not merely winning an election and come to power. What we want first is development and peace. We will visit various districts and focus on these two issues,'' he said.

Chaudhury, Chakrabarty, Patitunda and other like-minded leaders held preliminary discussion about forming the new outfit. ``There are thousand and one issues to be sorted out and we hope by October we can announce something,'' Choudhury said.