Jyoti Basu has renewed his thesis that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) must participate in the government in Delhi after the next elections.
He urged his partymen not to shy away from the responsibility of forming a government at the Centre at two meetings over the weekend.
The days of being content with power in just two or three states are over. All regional parties who will align with us in the election are asking for our leadership. It is our responsibility to form a government at the Centre, he said.
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Basus `Delhi Chalo slogan will intensify the struggle between the two party factions in favour and against the idea of sharing power in Delhi.
Basu, who was offered prime ministership on a platter by the United Front after the 1996 elections, had to abandon his personal ambitions when the partys politburo refused to endorse the idea despite general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet backing it.
Basu expressed his anger and frustration by calling the decision a historical blunder.
Had he been a lesser mortal, Basu would have faced severe disciplinary action.
Basus remarks, however, began a bitter debate within the party which refuses to die down. His supporters have been losing organisational elections in district after district in recent weeks. But, the sudden announcement of elections has strengthened the Chief Ministers hands. He remains the partys star campaigner despite nearing an advanced age of 85. He may be restricting his hours at the Writers Buildings to 2/3 hours a day, but, will have to campaign hard to improve the fortunes of the party.
Basu has renewed his call to share power at the Centre at a time when the party will not dare antagonise him lest he slows down his poll campaign on health ground.
The debate, which has been rekindled within the party, will gather momentum if the Leftists and their allies again come close to forming a government in New Delhi.
Whether or not Basu gets another chance to become the Prime Minister, the CPI(M) must first decide on the larger issue of participating in a government in Delhi.
Veteran Marxist leader rekindles debate on whether the CPM should participate in a government in Delhi after the mid-term polls