M A I N   N E W S

CPI asks ministers to resume office

NEW DELHI, March 14 (PTI) — The crisis in the ruling Left Front in West Bengal over the “denial” of a Rajya Sabha ticket to the CPI ended today, with the party directing its two ministers in the Jyoti Basu Cabinet to resume office and the state unit to revise its stand for the “sake of Left unity.”

The decision of the CPI National Executive, which held an emergency session here, came after an hour-long meeting between the Chief Minister and state party Secretary Nandagopal Bhattacharya at Calcutta last night and a letter by Mr Basu urging the CPI not only to remain in the Left Front but also to continue its participation in the state government.

CPI General Secretary A.B. Bardhan told reporters here that the National Executive, after taking note of the overall political situation, decided to direct the state unit to revise its earlier announcement of pulling out of the Cabinet.

Welcoming the CPI decision, CPM Politburo member Prakash Karat said “it’s a good decision which will help to maintain Left unity.”

On the party’s stand on the RJD government in Bihar, Mr Bardhan said, “There is no question of supporting Ms Rabri Devi” during the confidence vote.

The CPI National Executive also decided to join other Left parties in carrying out nationwide protests against US President Bill Clinton’s visit to India.