CPM general secretary Prakash Karat hints at joining hands with Congress
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the CPM for moment is firmly against having any political or electoral understanding with the Congress, the party does not completely rule out the possibility of cooperation between the two to fight Hindutva forces led by the RSS.
The change is evident with the party not seen emphasising too much on its oft repeated position, the unity of “non-Congress and non-BJP secular parties.”
In the fight against the BJP government and particularly the danger posed by the Hindutva forces led by the RSS we will cooperate with all secular forces but that does not mean we will have political alliance or electoral understanding with the Congress. There are many people behind secular parties who we would like to mobilise. So it is the question of mobilising people on issues connected with the dangers of communalism. We will try to see that there is broadest mobilisation of all secular and democratic forces,’’ said CPM general secretary Prakash Karat after CC meeting.
He pointed out that the CPM could not have any political alliance or understanding with Congress anywhere in the country including West Bengal. However, reports from Bengal indicate that the CPM and Congress are coming closer to counter the TMC and BJP surge.
“Both the Congress and the CPM are backing Save Democracy Forum floated by eminent personalities to fight violence let loose by TMC cadres. Even in Saradha Chit Fund scam they are together with Bikash Bhattacharya, senior CPM leader and former Mayor of Kolkata who is also a lawyer and Congress leader Abdul Mannan putting up a joint fight,’’ said Kolkata based senior journalist Parsun Acharya.
He said it was the political necessity of CPM and Congress to come together. “Mamata now enjoys the support of majority Muslims who constitute nearly 27 per cent of state’s population which traditionally supported CPM. BJP’s influence is increasing among Hindus especially those with roots in Bangladesh. In this backdrop, the CPM and Congress are making a joint bid to salvage the situation ahead of 2016 Assembly elections,’’ he added.
