Basu writes to party: Want to step down from Politburo

This time, he has given it in writing: former chief minister Jyoti Basu, 93, and the oldest member of the CPIM politburo, has written to his party8217;s national leadership that he should be allowed to step down from the Politburo in view of his ill health.

8220;This time, I have informed the party in writing that I do not wish to continue in the politburo,8221; Basu told reporters at the party8217;s Alimuddin Street state headquarters after attending the routine Friday meeting of the state secretariat.

Basu has already made it clear that he will not be able to attend the CPIM Party Congress, scheduled to be held in Coimbatore in end-March.

Beset by age-related problems, Basu has been irregular in his attendance at Politburo meetings, mostly skipping the ones not held here.

Three years ago, Basu had conveyed a similar wish to the leadership, but verbally.

His request was turned down, and the party said it would not be able to do without his guidance.