Basu’s comment came on the sidelines of a book release function at his Salt Lake residence. His party leaders had briefed him on the largescale violence in Basanti, South 24 Parganas, on Wednesday.

The clashes between armed cadre of both parties had claimed the lives of three RSP and one CPM supporter.

Basu said: “It is very unfortunate that so many lives were lost in a panchayat election. This is not correct. We have to learn our lessons from it. All partners, including CPM, should think about how the Left Front could be built afresh.” Referring to the violence that took place in the 2003 elections, he said the lack of unity among partners over seat-sharing this year was “worse than last time”.

He said that Left Front chairman Biman Bose had tried to arrive at a consensus but failed.

Front partners RSP and Forward Bloc, who are at loggerheads with the CPM over various issues, including land acquisition for industries, have held Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his party responsible for the violence at Basanti during the second phase of polls yesterday.

Meanwhile, reacting to the spate of violence at Basanti over the past two days, RSP’s central committee member Manoj Bhattacharjee said: “We have to think afresh whether to continue in the Left Front. We have to discuss the issue within the party before deciding on it.”

“The CPM is becoming intolerant to criticism and the purpose of formation of Left Front 30 years ago is defeated. It no longer exists now. Our people are under attack from the CPM. RSP supporters were beaten up and their houses were set on fire at Basanti,” he said. He also accused the police of acting on behalf of the ruling party.