Tuesday, September 12 2006 16:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Jyoti Basu proposes. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) disposes. This time the issue is his retirement from the powerful Politburo because of failing health.

So even as the 93-year-old communist leader said, "There is no use of my being in the Politburo since I cannot get out of Kolkata", his party is not willing to let him go so easily.

The CPI-M Politburo, which is meeting here today (Sept 12, 2006) for two days, will discuss Basu's retirement, though the issue is not on the agenda.

"I have been telling them that I don't want to continue in the Politburo due to health grounds. It is not on the agenda of the Politburo meeting but I will raise the issue nevertheless," he was quoted as saying by the local media.

"The party needs him. There is no question of his quitting," said Biman Bose, CPI-M state secretary and Left Front chairman, making it amply clear that Basu would not be relieved too willingly by the party. The former chief minister has been in active politics for the past 66 years.

The veteran communist leader sustained an injury to his hip joint last month due to a fall in his room while trying to switch off the air conditioner at night.

Despite his advanced age, Basu still takes active interest in state and national politics and never hides his candid opinions on many issues concerning the nation and the party.

"On my birthday, I feel I am not above 92. I am 29 today," Basu had told visitors on his birthday on July 8 this year. He has been critical of late of his successor Buddhadeb Bhattachayra for getting involved in cricket politics and not following the right steps in a land acquisition move in Singur in Hoogly district where Tata's propose to put up their car manufacturing plant.

"I am into active politics for 66 years. I will work for people till my last breath. Our interest is only the peoples' interest and welfare," Basu said recently.

In 1996, Basu had a close call for the prime minister's seat but was restrained by the party, a decision which he later dubbed as a historical blunder for the communists.

Jyoti Basu was chief minister of West Bengal from 1977, since the party rode to power in the state, to 2000 when he retired on health grounds and nominated his deputy Buddhadeb Bhattacharya as successor.