In the backdrop of demands for a change of leadership by certain sections in the state, the 15-member CPI(M) Politburo held a day-long session here, examining a report sent by its West Bengal unit on the severe drubbing at the hustings and the political-organisational reasons for such a result.
At the all-India level, the Left numbers in Lok Sabha have dwindled from 24 in the 15th Lok Sabha to 10 now, rendering them virtually politically irrelevant in the House.
The Politburo meeting would be followed by a two-day meet of the 89-member Central Committee from tomorrow, when CPI(M) leaders would review the emerging political scenario in the wake of the landslide BJP victory at the national level and the performance of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.
The meeting would not only analyse the organisational weaknesses, but also debate the next steps on how to cope with the challenges and galvanise the party and the Left organisation which have been under tremendous stress due to continued attacks and violence allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers, party sources said.
More From This Section
Left leaders have called for serious introspection within their own parties as well as within the Left on the role they would play in the coming days.
They have also pointed out that the BJP had taken full advantage of the anger of the people against Congress and its policies on one hand and the complete absence of a non- Congress, non-BJP alternative in the Lok Sabha polls on the other.