Ruling out any changes in the party leadership, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today admitted that policy shortcomings and mistakes in the handling of Singur and Nandigram proved costly to the Left Front in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
"Notwithstanding the big achievements of the Left government, over the last three decades, there were shortcomings and weakness in some of the policies and measures adopted for the welfare of the people, the mistakes with regard to Singur and Nandigram proved costly to the party," he told reporters here.
Speaking after the conclusion of the 3-day meet of CPI(M) Politburo and Central Committee, he said "Election outcomes do not determine leadership changes in CPI(M)."
The meet assessed results of recent Assembly elections in five states with special focus on West Bengal and Kerala, where the party was in power.
He blamed the ganging up of political forces ranging from rightist forces to the Maoists behind the Trinamool Congress, for the Front's performance.
"The people voted for change," he said.
"In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front(LDF) lost narrowly, in our review the Central Committee appreciated the work of the CPI(M) and the LDF in the election campaign. The Central Committee has directed the Kerala unit to ensure various aspects of election results and take steps to further strengthen the party in Kerala," Karat said.
Karat said corrective measures will be taken to strengthen the party but did not elaborate on what they would be.
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