CPM plans a solo run

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While CPI general secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy has called for broadest possible unity among secular-democratic-left parties to counter the onslaught of fascist forces led by BJP, the CPM is not keen to include Congress in the scheme of things. Mr Reddy said his party at its recent national executive meeting discussed the need for unity among left-democratic-seuclar parties. “We are for issue based broader platform of these parties. Congress or any other party didn’t figure in our discussions,” he said.

The CPI general secretary said move for broader unity should not be seen as an electoral understanding. “Lok Sabha elections are still two years away so electoral tie up or electoral understanding is not on agenda. But the fascist agenda needs to be countered,” he said. He said the other Left parties would also be discussing the issue subsequently. CPM politburo member M A Baby ruled out the possibility of  a broader understanding with the Congress citing the political line adopted at Vishakhapatnam Party Congress. “At present our party is concentrating on strengthening the organisation. We have not discussed the possibilities of broader political platform of secular-democratic and left parties at the moment,”  he said.

It may be recalled that the CPM central leadership had opposed the Bengal unit’s decision to join hands with Congress in the last Assembly elections. The politburo had pointed out that the tactics that evolved in Bengal were not in consonance with the CC decision and political tactical line adopted at Vishakhapatnam Congress which stated that there will be no alliance or electoral understanding with the Congress. However, a section of CPM leaders believe that the Left parties should take the initiative to bring non BJP secular and democratic parties to fight the onslaught of fascist forces in the country. The issue will come up for discussion at the politburo and central committee meeting scheduled to take place later this month.