New Delhi: "Why did we lose" was the big question the CPM politburo got together to discuss on Friday morning. The meeting of the party's highest decision making body will go on for two more days.
But there are more immediate concerns. Lalgarh played heavy on their minds. Sources told NDTV that the Chief Minister of West Bengal made a presentation on the standoff in Lalgarh.
Left leaders say the similarities between agitation at Nandigram and Lalgarh are uncanny, but this time the CPM seems to have a different battleplan in mind.
Says Left Front chairman Biman Bose says: "Even in Nandigram it was the rainbow alliance of TMC at work and the Maoists demand only strengthens our claim."
And with assembly elections just 2 years away, the party is gearing up to ensure the Lok Sabha debacle is not repeated in the state.
NDTV has learnt that according an internal party assessment, CPM leaders feel the agitation at Nandigram was one of the reasons for their loss in West Bengal. The fear of land acquisition remained in people, even though none has been acquired in the last two years.
The formation of third front sent a message of instability. The minorities felt marginalised after the Rizwanur case and Sachar report.
The differences in Kerela state unit damaged the party's image.
And, the corruption charges and nepotism of the grassroot party worker cost them dearly.
To find out what were the reasons is perhaps an easier task. What is tougher is to convince the people and regain their lost.