“I should not have spoken in public on the party’s internal matters,” he said, adding: “But it is true that I shall raise the issue within the party.”

On Tuesday, Basu had come out volubly in support of the Transport minister’s eligibility to be in the state secretariat or at least the Central Committee — since he was a ‘veteran leader’. Chakraborty, who is in his sixties, has often embarrassed the party and its leaders by speaking his mind. Although he can mobilise huge rallies and is a troubleshooter for the government and the party, he has never been given a senior post. Basu has been trying to make amends.

Party sources said there is a slot for Chakraborty since former leader Anil Biswas’ death had paved the way for Biman Bose to become the state secretary. Bose too backs Chakraborty. But Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen, now elevated to the CPM’s politburo, and farm front leader Benoy Konar have been opposing Chakraborty’s entry.

Sources said that Basu, at his meeting with party general secretary Prakash Karat, Biman Bose and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on March 20 — just before the party’s national meeting at Coimbatore — had said Chakraborty ought to get a berth in the state secretariat or the Central Committee.