With BJP leader L K Advani having proposed the award of the country’s highest civilian honour Atal Behari Vajpayee, the CPM was asked if it would pitch for Basu, the 94-year-old Politburo member who began life in an upper middle class family before turning into a Communist and a party whole-timer.

Biman Bose, CPM state secretary and politburo member, said today that the party would not mind if Basu was offered the Bharat Ratna.

While replying to media reports linking Basu to the award, Bose said, “I don’t know the criteria, but if he fulfils it and is nominated, we do not have any objection.” He was addressing a press conference on the party’s state conference scheduled this Sunday. About three years ago, the CPM had nixed Basu’s chances of getting an award from a university.

“If any leader wishes to accept even the Bharat Ratna, he has to take the party’s approval,” the CPM had then said in an official statement.

Party sources said that the CPM’s culture frowns on celebration of birthdays, observance of religious rituals and acceptance of awards.