CPM Kerala leaders slam Sitaram Yechury’s alternative line
State CPM was keen to have an understanding with the Congress
By : Gilvester Assary
Update: 2014-10-28 05:11 GMT
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the CPM central committee members continued their discussions on the draft political tactical line on the second day of its four-day meeting in Delhi, varied opinions were expressed by members on the politburo’s official draft, Mr Sitaram Yechury’s alternative line and former Andhra Pradesh state secretary B.V. Raghavulu’s counter report.
Sources said majority of CC members from Kerala differed with Yechury’s stand that implementation of political tactical line was flawed. A Vijayaraghavan, P Karunakaran and E P Jayarajan took part in the discussions on Monday. However, while a section of West Bengal leaders favoured the PB draft, another group had strong reservations because of the party’s near-decimation in the state.
They believe the withdrawal of support to the UPA-1 had paved the way for Ms Mamata and the Congress alliance which ultimately uprooted the CPM from power.
Sources said a big section in the state CPM was keen to have an understanding with the Congress as the ground was slipping fast and the space was being filled by the BJP. Both Marxists and Congress cadre have come under severe attack from Trinamool Congress goons and many are seeking the BJP’s refuge for protection.
It is in this backdrop that the ‘Bengal line, ’ part of which Mr Yechury also endorsed in his report, is being propagated to counter Mr Karat. The general secretary’s line since 2005, including the withdrawal of support to the UPA-1, had plunged the party into a deep crisis, both electorally and organisationally.
Sources said that under Mr Raghavulu who toed Mr Karat line, the CPM received a huge setback in Andhra. In 2004, the party won nine seats securing a vote share of 1.84 per cent; in 2009 it won just one of the 18 seats contested with the vote share dropping further to 1.35 per cent; and in the elections held after bifurcation the CPM drew a blank in Seemandhra and got just one seat in Telengana.
A section of members wants the leadership to take a practical view of the larger threat posed by Sangh Parivar led by Mr Modi. “It’s time for shedding the blind anti-Congressism and going back to the BJP as the enemy No 1 position,’’ said a leader.
But the big question is how many of the 87 CC members will raise their hands for change on October 29. The heated debate on political line also comes in the wake of impending leadership change in 2015. Sources said Mr Karat wants a loyalist to replace him while the other section is against such a move.
Many in the party believe that the party would commit yet another “historic blunder” if it went ahead with the Karat line and this time the chances of revival would be remote considering the completely adverse political climate in the country.