Asian Window

Somnath Chatterjee’s resolve to hold on, despite the onslaught by his Communist comrades has enhanced his stature, writes Diptosh Majumdar in The Indian Express 

One doesn’t know what happens to Somnath Chatterjee from here. Even after his expulsion, he is constitutionally under no obligation to give up his office. After having battled so admirably with a Stalinist party structure, one would hope he stays on. He has expressed a desire not to continue in politics after next year; he must continue to adorn that chair which befits the stature he has acquired over the years.

Chatterjee has scored heavily in the past month simply by holding on, by being able to brave the onslaught of the party. He has demonstrated beyond doubt that he can take on apparatchiks and will, under no circumstances, mix his politics with his constitutional responsibilities. He has carefully stayed away from media glare and has avoided making unnecessary statements. He has not been drawn into any political discussions on his probable change in stance. It is quite possible that given the option, he would have actively pursued the Jyoti Basu line. He wouldn’t have been pushed easily into voting with the BJP.

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