CPI-ML settles for Dipankar

According to sources, initially, the committee was split on the issue with the senior leaders wanting Swadesh Bhattacharya elected to the post. His election was a near-certainty till a couple of days back. However, young leaders in the party cast their lot with Dipankar Bhattacharya. In terms of power politics in the party, Dipankar was described as close to Vinod Mishra and capable of articulating the feelings of the party when it wasstriving to emerge as the focal point of the broader Left alliance.

Speaking to newspersons, Dipankar Bhattacharya committed himself to the path chosen by Vinod Mishra and said the party8217;s main task would be to carry forward the struggle of the peasantry started by Mishra. He favoured a confederation of the Left parties and announced that the CPIM-L would play a key role in uniting the Left and build a true third force8217;. He debunked the claim of the regional parties and RJD that they would represent the third force, adding the Congress and the BJP were the main enemies of the Left forces, particularly the third front8217;.