Kolkata, March 6
CPM veterans, Jyoti Basu and Harkrishen Singh Surjeet are likely to step down from the politburo and the central committee after the forthcoming party congress in April on health grounds.
The two old guards, however, will remain CPM advisers.
According to party sources, Mr Surjeet, holding the General Secretary’s post since 1981, has been advised by doctors not to undertake laborious activity as he has undergone heart bypass surgery twice. Moreover, he has of late developed acute eyesight problems, affecting his physical mobility.
It is almost certain that Mr Prakash Karat, comparatively a young and hardline politburo member, will succeed Mr Surjeet.
Mr Basu, however, does not have so many health problems like Mr Surjeet. He will attend the party office at Alimuddin Street as long as he can.
Mr Basu became a member in the State Assembly in 1952 and remained one since then but for 1972-76. He served the long-tenure as the West Bengal Chief Minister between 1977-99.
Mr Surjeet, however, remained an office-bearer in the party all through. He has been an important architect in the country’s Communist movement.
