CPI(M) rules out Somnath's return to party fold

New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) dashed the hopes of expelled Communist leader Somnath Chatterjee' return into the party fold on Thursday by saying "the reason for which he was expelled still exists."

"The trust vote was a crucial time when he defied the party and supported Congress so, there is no reason for taking him back," CPI(M) Polit Bureau member M. K. Pandhe told the media.

Asked to comment upon Chatterjee's reported inclination to return to the part fold, Pandhe said: "Chatterjee has not accepted the fault he committed during the trust vote."

Sending a feeler to the party that expelled him last July for putting the Speaker's position above that of his party, Somnath on Wednesday stated that it would be a "happy occasion" if he was back in the CPM.

His statement had come days after West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said last week that he was trying to bring back Chatterjee and Saifuddin Chaudhary-another leader expelled eight years ago-back into the party.

While on the issue of supporting Congress, Pandhe said the party had not taken any decision.

Meanwhile, party chief Prakash Karat has dismissed the exit-poll results which were aired across TV channels on Wednesday, saying he did not believe them. (ANI)