CPM open to pact with ‘democratic forces’

In less than a year, CPM’s much touted Vizag line – no electoral alliance with Congress – has been abandoned. The party’s central committee (CC) has decided to electorally cooperate with “democratic forces”, a new coinage for Congress, in West Bengal.

TOI on Wednesday had reported that a divided politburo and CC will find a middle ground by using the term “democratic forces” instead of Congress.

But it will be a hush-hush affair, as general secretary Sitaram Yechury refused to even take the name of Congress and said it will be left to the West Bengal state committee to fine tune the electoral alliance with “democratic forces.” “Right now there is no proposal from any democratic force, nor have we approached them, The main task in West Bengal is restoration of democratic forces,” Yechury said. When pointedly asked if CPM considers Congress a “democratic force,” Yechury chose to reply thus: “All those who believe in secularism are democratic force.” He was again asked referring to Biman Bose’s statement in Kolkata that if any proposal comes from Congress it will be considered. Yechury had to admit: “Of course. We are seeking cooperation of all democratic forces. In response of our seeking cooperation, if a proposal comes we will consider it. It’s the same thing.”

Despite Yechury’s attempt to maintain distance from Congress, sources in the party said, Congress and CPM have in been in secret parleys for long and had been waiting for politburo and CC meeting to get over. Yechury also chose to ward off two important questions. One, if alliance with Congress in Bengal reflects poorly on Left that ruled the state for 34 years? Two, what does CPM have to say about Congress’ economic policy? To the first question, Yechury retorted: “Have I said Congress party will be in alliance? Who will come with what condition, we do not know.” Instead, he began giving details of violence perpetrated by Trinamool Congress that has led to the alleged death of 174 comrades and displacement of lakhs of families.

The CC decision was not unanimous and faced stiff resistance from Kerala comrades and few others who felt in the long run the party will have more questions to answer. However, on Wednesday Bengal comrades like Sridip Bhattacharya, Gautam Deb, Nilotpal Basu, Mridul De, Ramachandra Dom, Rekha Goswami, Sukomal Sen and nearly 30 others spoke in favour of going with Congress. Their general argument was that Left needs to show that it can build a formidable force to take on Trinamool. Yechury himself did not speak but put before CC two differing points raised by Suryakanta Mishra and SR Pillai. Support for going with Congress also came from CC members from Punjab and veteran V S Achutanandan who had sent a written note.