First time since 146;57, Left draws a blank

While the CPIM contested from 14 seats, CPI fielded candidates in 21 seats, Forward Bloc in 12 and RSP in 9.

Despite help from the SP, the CPIM could not retain its two seats8212;Meja and Najibabad. While party candidate Ram Kripal polled 28.07 per cent of votes in Meja to finish second, the BSP candidate finished the race way ahead with 39.84 per cent votes. In Najibabad8212;where the party won the last three elections8212;CPIM candidate Rajkumar again trailed behind the BSP winner.

The results have left the CPIM bewildered. It had hoped to improve its tally by a minimum of two seats after its tacit understanding with the SP, which did not field candidates in Meja and Najibabad.

The Left leadership said a host of factors did them in, the most important being 8220;not seeing the overwhelming undercurrent in favour of BSP8221;. Another factor was giving 8220;over-importance to the SP8221;.

CPIM politburo member Sitaram Yechury said the Central committee will discuss the results thoroughly adding that the party could not covert the 8220;mass support for the struggle it organises into electoral gains8221;. CPI national secretary D Raja said it was time the Left parties did some introspection.