The CPI has found fault with the CPI(M) for skipping the RJD rally in Patna, saying the Left parties should not shy away from the unified fight against BJP citing presence of Congress or others.
Sources said the CPI decided to go ahead with attending the rally last Sunday even after CPI(M) communicating that it would not attend the rally. Usually both parties take a common stand on issues.
CPI(M) had cited the presence of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee at the rally as well as being seen with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, a convicted politician. A section of the CPI(M) central leadership also argued that CPI(M)’s presence would mean that it was open to an electoral alliance with Congress.
However, CPI sources rubbished the CPI(M) theory saying no secular party in the country can avoid working with a “pan-India party like Congress” at a time the RSS and BJP are “aggressively” pursuing a “regressive agenda to divide the country”.
When contacted, CPI National Secretary D Raja told DH, “we are an independent party. We take our own decisions after assessing the political situation. The Left should take real initiatives to fight the fascist forces. Left can play a more effective role.”
He said the division on attending the rally would not affect unity among Left parties. CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and Raja attended the Patna rally.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury defended the decision not to attend the Patna rally while attending rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav’s meetings. “The ‘save composite culture’ movement has got nothing to do with electoral alliances or adjustments. Saving the composite culture is a larger issue,” Yechury said adding it cannot take part in any rally of the grand alliance with the Congress.
CPI sources said the Left should strive to build broadest possible alliance of parties to fight the BJP. “This does not mean electoral alliance. We need to have coordination on the ground. Otherwise we will lose the game,” a senior CPI leader said.
“The CPI(M) has to assess the political situation and decide. They should understand the RSS-BJP are very aggressive. CPI(M) should see that and take a decision accordingly,” the leader said.
A senior CPI(M) leader also echoed these sentiments last week when he said party leadership should understand that it is not strong as it was earlier and it should be seen as relevant.
“CPI(M) has a historic role to play. All parties of Left shade are looking at CPI(M) to play the leadership role. We are now held up on whether to work with Congress. What we are looking at is not electoral alliance but a unified fight against BJP,” he had told DH.
(An edited version appeared in Deccan Herald on Aug 30)
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