CPM battles question of ties with Congress

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With a majority of the central committee members supporting Prakash Karat line against having any understanding with Congress, pressure is mounting on the leadership for division of vote in the absence of consensus on the political tactical line. The politburo met in the evening to finalise the reply to the two-day discussions held in central committee. The party decision on the draft will be taken on Sunday. On the second day of the central committee meeting which is in session in Kolkata, majority of the speakers who took part in the discussions on the draft were of the opinion that there is no need to change the political tactical line adopted in 21st  party congress in Vishakhapatnam which had opposed any kind of political or electoral understanding with Congress.

They said Congress is the architect of neoliberal policies and is also responsible for the rise of BJP and Sangh Parivar in the country.  The members felt that an electoral understanding with Congress would only weaken the fight of Left and democratic forces against the neo-liberal liberal polices and fascist agenda of Narendra Modi government at the Centre. They laid emphasis on strengthening and expanding the independent strength of the Left to fight the twin danger of neoliberal policies and fascist agenda. The central committee members from Kerala said there was no need for any political or electoral alliance with Congress though there can be joint struggles against the anti-people policies.

Any electoral alliance or political alternative should be based on issues.  They pointed out that Congress was the initiator of neoliberal policies which are now being implemented vigorously by the Modi Government. Only name plates have changed but the policies remain same.  Barring veteran leader V. S. Achuthanandan who favoured electoral understanding with Congress to defeat the BJP, all other CC members from the state opposed a tie-up. The CC members from Bengal, however, supported a practical approach based on concrete situation at the local level.  They said the CPM position on neo-liberal economic reforms was well stated.   Meanwhile, Yechury faction has reiterated that the party should not lose sight of the four pronged war being waged by the CPM against BJP-RSS communal politics