Buddhadeb not to attend CPM party meeting

Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya will not be attending the most important meeting of his party, the CPM, that begins at Kozikhode on April, 4. Party General Secretary Prakash Karat had visited Kolkata and personally requested Mr Bhattacharya to join the 20th party Congress. But Mr Bhattacharya, who is a member of the highest decision making bodies of the party - the Central Committee and the Politburo - has pleaded ill health. His decision has triggered speculation that he also wants to quit the Politburo and Central Committee. The issue may be discussed at the party Congress.