CPI, CPI(M) tussle continues over R.S. seat

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 12. The deadlock between the CPI and the CPI(M) over a Rajya Sabha seat continued today with the latter suggesting that the CPI could request the RSP to give up its seat.

While not commenting on this suggestion, the CPI leader, Mr. D. Raja, said the matter would be discussed tomorrow by the party's national executive. The CPI with six MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly, withdrew its ministers from the CPI(M)-led State Government over the issue.

The CPI(M) politburo member, Mr. Sitaram Yechury, today said it was ``very unfortunate'' that the CPI was blaming the CPI(M) for not giving it a seat. ``They (CPI) can request the RSP to give up their share,'' he said. The CPI(M) had traditionally transferred its surplus votes in the West Bengal Assembly to other Left partners.

Mr. Yechury told reporters after the CPI(M)'s Central Committee meeting that the remaining votes had always been rotated among other Left Front partners including the RSP and the Forward Bloc. On Saturday, the party renominated three of its sitting members, Mr. Biplab Dasgupta, Mr. Nilotpal Basu and Mr. Dipankar Mukherjee, for the coming Rajya Sabha elections. The fourth seat has been given to the RSP.

RSP names nominee

CALCUTTA, MARCH 12. The ruling Left Front partner, RSP, today nominated Mr. Manoj Bhattacharya as its candidate for the March 29 Rajya Sabha elections from the State.

The Left Front chairman, Mr. Sailen Dasgupta, formally announced the name of Mr. Bhattacharya after a State party meeting here. Of the five vacant Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal, the Left Front would contest four - CPI(M) three and RSP one.

- UNI

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