Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury will not seek a third term in the Rajya Sabha in keeping with a party “norm”. His second consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha ends in August.
“It is the party norm that we don’t take the third term. As general secretary, I must uphold this norm,” he told The Hindu over the phone.
Elections will be held in August for six seats from West Bengal, the State Mr. Yechury represents in the RS. The other five members, retiring in August, belong to the All-India Trinamool Congress. Only a joint candidate of the Left and the Congress can win a seat. Or the Trinamool Congress may sweep all the seats.
CPI(M) sources said the Congress offered the CPI(M) support, if Mr. Yechury was the candidate.
Congress support
It is believed that the Congress’ aim was not only to reach out to the Left but also to ensure that one of the most articulate anti-government members remained in the Rajya Sabha. There was speculation whether the CPI(M) would be open to having Mr. Yechury back in Parliament with Congress support.
