CPI(M) gets into Party Congress mode, battle within rages
Last Updated IST
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury. DH file photo
A raging battle is on cards within the CPI(M) in the coming days over its stand on Congress, as it initiated a process to prepare the crucial political resolution for the Party Congress in April next year.
With the Bengal and Kerala units at loggerheads over the line to be taken, the meetings of top leadership would see vociferous arguments on the shape of the resolution that would provide direction to the cadre.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday gave ample hints about a rethink on its political and tactical line ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls, saying conditions have changed since the 2015 Congress. With changing conditions, he said, the party's analysis and alignment would change accordingly.
The resolution is being keenly watched for what it would say about the Bengal unit's decision to have an understanding with Congress in the West Bengal Assembly elections and on giving Yechury a third term in Rajya Sabha.
The leadership was divided over the Rajya Sabha elections in which Congress offered to give its seat to Yechury from Bengal. There was division over the Bengal unit entering into an electoral understanding with Congress in Assembly elections, which the Central Committee later described as a deviation from the political tactical line of the party.
“The question is how to fight the BJP, which is spearheading communal agenda. Can it have an electoral alliance with Congress? The question would be whether there could be some degree of understanding with Congress or whether CPI(M) should go independent way?" a senior CPI(M) leader said.
Before taking this decision, he said, the party has to analyse and assess its strength before closing down options, as the political situation in the country is dramatically changing.
The party Polit Bureau, in its two-day meeting that ended on Thursday, initiated a discussion on the basic outline of the political resolution.
The Central Committee would be meeting for three days in Delhi from October 14 to finalise the outline of the political resolution, sources said. The draft political resolution to be discussed in the five-day Party Congress in Hyderabad from 18 April 2018 will be finalised in another meeting of the Central Committee in next January.
Sources said the top leadership was divided over the party's participation in Sharad Yadav-led Sanjha Virasat Bachao Sammelan and the RJD rally, with one section dubbing it as electoral platforms. While Yechury attended Yadav's conference, the party decided against attending RJD rally.
With the Bengal and Kerala units at loggerheads over the line to be taken, the meetings of top leadership would see vociferous arguments on the shape of the resolution that would provide direction to the cadre.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday gave ample hints about a rethink on its political and tactical line ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls, saying conditions have changed since the 2015 Congress. With changing conditions, he said, the party's analysis and alignment would change accordingly.
The resolution is being keenly watched for what it would say about the Bengal unit's decision to have an understanding with Congress in the West Bengal Assembly elections and on giving Yechury a third term in Rajya Sabha.
The leadership was divided over the Rajya Sabha elections in which Congress offered to give its seat to Yechury from Bengal. There was division over the Bengal unit entering into an electoral understanding with Congress in Assembly elections, which the Central Committee later described as a deviation from the political tactical line of the party.
“The question is how to fight the BJP, which is spearheading communal agenda. Can it have an electoral alliance with Congress? The question would be whether there could be some degree of understanding with Congress or whether CPI(M) should go independent way?" a senior CPI(M) leader said.
Before taking this decision, he said, the party has to analyse and assess its strength before closing down options, as the political situation in the country is dramatically changing.
The party Polit Bureau, in its two-day meeting that ended on Thursday, initiated a discussion on the basic outline of the political resolution.
The Central Committee would be meeting for three days in Delhi from October 14 to finalise the outline of the political resolution, sources said. The draft political resolution to be discussed in the five-day Party Congress in Hyderabad from 18 April 2018 will be finalised in another meeting of the Central Committee in next January.
Sources said the top leadership was divided over the party's participation in Sharad Yadav-led Sanjha Virasat Bachao Sammelan and the RJD rally, with one section dubbing it as electoral platforms. While Yechury attended Yadav's conference, the party decided against attending RJD rally.