Condoling the demise of former Lok Sabha speaker and veteran parliamentarian Somnath Chatterjee, a section of CPI(M) leaders in West Bengal today "expressed regret" for not being able to re-induct him into the party.
Mr Chatterjee was expelled from the CPI(M) in 2008 for refusing to resign as speaker after his party withdrew support to the UPA-I government over the India-US nuclear deal.
He passed away at a city hospital this morning at the age of 89 after battling a prolonged illness.
Senior CPI(M) leader Nepaldeb Bhattacharya said many leaders visited Mr Chatterjee in the last few years to convince him to rejoin the party, but the issue could not be resolved.
"It will be a lifelong regret for all of us that we could not take him back into the party. We are facing a tough situation today and it would have been of great help if he was with us. We tried to woo him back in the past, but failed in our efforts," he added.
Sujan Chakraborty, a central committee member of the CPI(M), said Mr Chatterjee's relation with the party members continued even after his expulsion.
"We always shared a very cordial relation with him. I wish he had continued as a member of the party... His death is an irreparable loss to all of us," he stated.
Hailing Mr Chatterjee as a parliamentarian who fought for secular and democratic forces, CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said leaders across the political spectrum loved and respected him.
"He was not in touch with the party in the last few years but that does not matter, he was above the party. The role he played in parliamentary democracy and for secular and democratic forces cannot be seen in context of a party...
"Even after giving up his responsibilities, he stood for secular and democratic forces," Mr Mishra said.
Another CPI(M) leader, who did not wish to be named, said the "arrogance" of the then leadership of the party had led to his expulsion.
Lok Sabha MP Md Salim, senior party leaders Shyamal Chakraborty and Rabin Deb were among those who visited the city hospital today to pay tributes to Mr Chatterjee.
The CPI(M) state committee postponed its meeting after the news of Mr Chatterjee's death reached the party headquarters in the morning.
A 10-time Lok Sabha MP, Somnath Chatterjee was a member of the CPI(M) from 1968 to 2008.
Somnath Chatterjee's Body Donated To Hospital, Skin Used For Graft In Somnath Chatterjee's Last Journey, Angry Family Turns Down CPM Request 'Headmaster' Somnath Chatterjee And His Admonitions As Lok Sabha Speaker Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Doctors Begin 24-Hour Nationwide Strike Over Kolkata Rape-Murder: 10 Points Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Sunita Williams Stuck In Space: What 6 Months Can Do To Perception Of Time AIIMS Raipur Recruitment 2024: Applications Begin For 82 Positions Joe Biden Exit To Kamala Harris Endorsement: Wildest Month Ahead Of US Polls Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.