Surya Kanta Mishra replaces Biman Bose as CPI(M) Bengal unit secretary

Surya Kanta Mishra was today elected the new secretary of the CPI(M)'s West Bengal unit, a post held by Biman Bose since 2006.

Mishra's name was proposed by Bose and seconded by former Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. "This is an added responsibility," Mishra, who is also leader of the Opposition, said. Mishra's mandate, as worded by him, was to oust the TMC from the state and save it.

Mishra is the second leader in the history of CPI(M) to hold the post of state secretary and leader of the Opposition, the first being veteran leader, Jyoti Basu.

Bose had made it clear at the State Congress that he wanted to step down from the post to pave the way for a new face, which could be significant ahead of the civic polls. The CPI(M) which deliberated over its debacle at the 24th State Conference over the past few days, is hoping to reach out to re-connect with the people.

On Thursday, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee owned up responsibility for the mistakes made by the Left Front government in Singur and Nandigram that became the symbols of land agitation movement in the country. He also criticised the policy of the party in its unwarranted intervention in the education sector. Bhattacharjee, however, said that there was no alternative to industrialisation, as it would translate to jobs.

The way forward, as Bhattacharjee saw it, was to re-connect with the people and apologise for past mistakes.

Though Bhattacharjee had expressed a desire to step down from the state committee, it appeared to have been turned down. Bose too had been kept in the newly elected state committee.

The CPI(M) Bengal unit, which today ended its state conference elected 24 new members in the 85-member state committee. Of the 24 new members, 19 were fresh faces. Ten minority members were also inducted into the committee.

The state conference kicked off on March 8 with a rally at the Brigade ground that saw a significant turnout. The party is now hoping that it will translate to increased votes.