CPI-M should play role in Cong-led govt: Jyoti Basu

But at present, Basu feels that the most opportune moment for the CPI-M to attain national recognition has arrived. Ninety plus Basu is well aware of the fact that he may not survive to see another Lok Sabha election.

So he wants the CPI-M should play a proactive role in the Congress-led coalition government. The octogenarian has no second thought on this issue. "People expect us to play a more prominent role in the government. That is why they have overwhelmingly voted for us. We should respect their view and join the Government," said aid Basu.

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But politburo members like Sitaram Yetchury and Prakash Karat have a different opinion on this issue.

Basu, however, feels that it will be beneficial for the party if it participates in the day-to-day governance. And he has quite a few supporters.

If Basu is upbeat with the results, the Trinamool Congress is still trying to analyse the cause for their annihilation. Immediately after the results Mamata Bannerjee shed a lot of crocodile's tears to try and emotionalise the rout.

Her problems have compounded, as she cannot simply blame "rigging" as the cause for defeat. Prior to the elections she had been all praise for the steps taken by the Election Commission to prevent rigging.

Now, she has no other option but to say that elections have been fair. She has tried to bring up the topic of "rigging and terror" unleashed by the CPI-M. But the media and the voters are not buying that. Presently, however, her main cause of concern is the possible disintegration that the Trinamool Congress is facing.

Quite a few leaders of the party have already started sending feelers to the Congress for a possible "comeback".