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Basu to continue as chief minister

West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu will continue in the post at the request of the politburo of the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

According to a release issued by the politburo in New Delhi today, Basu's request for relieving him from the responsibility due to ill health was discussed at its meeting. The politburo ''appreciated his difficulties regarding ill-health. However, keeping in mind the complex political situation and his vast political and administrative experiences,'' the politburo felt his services were still required and therefore, it requested him to continue with his responsibility. Basu has ''accepted the request,'' the release said.

The politburo has decided that to lessen Basu's burden in discharging his responsibilities as the chief minister, there should be a deputy chief minister. The politburo would request the West Bengal state secretariat of the CPI-M to take necessary action in this regard, the release said.

UNI

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