While reiterating his position that he would not like to seek a third term to the Rajya Sabha in keeping with party convention, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, however, said the party would take the final call once the notification is out.
This comes days after the West Bengal State committee took a stand in favour of a third term for Mr. Yechury. “The West Bengal State committee has given a proposal. When the notification comes, the party will consider it,” Mr. Yechury said.
Does that mean the party could decide either way on his candidature? “I have said what I had to say. I cannot comment on your interpretation,” he replied.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Yechury also listed out a clutch of plans the party had made for its political work in the near future.
Presidential poll
Mr. Yechury said the party was in talks with other secular Opposition parties so that “a person with impeccable secular credentials” was fielded as a joint candidate.
ADVERTISEMENT
Admitting that Gopalkrishna Gandhi was one of the names under consideration, he said the party was looking at the widest secular unity possible.
He expressed his concern that there was no move towards a dialogue from the Centre despite the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Yechury said that in view of the order on the sale of cattle for slaughter, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had written to all Chief Ministers that this was violative of the federal structure and fundamental rights. “We are discussing with non-BJP governments and are looking at a unified opposition to this.”
On the Modi government celebrating three years in office, he said it had not been able to fulfil any poll promise thus far.