CPM set for big ideological shift

Partys politburo preparing draft resolution that outlines the new path

However, party general secretary Prakash Karat, speaking to media, refused to say what these ideological changes could be. It is, however, learnt that the party has decided to focus on broad alliance against liberalisation and globalisation of economy.

The ideological changes will have bearing on its relations with other political parties. The party is likely to concentrate on strengthening the Left front. It will also consolidate its mass organisations like SFI, CITU and DYFI. In addition, the party is to go in for organising mass protests.

Karat said: “The 19th Congress of the Party held in 2008 had decided that the Central Committee should adopt a resolution on ideological issues. In this connection, the politburo discussed an outline for the draft resolution. On this basis, the draft resolution will be prepared for discussion in the and the Central Committee and taken up at the Party Congress in April 2012.”

Karat denied that the debacle in Assembly polls had forced the party to make changes in its ideology. “The decision was taken in the last party Congress in 2008. We have identified the area and a comprehensive resolution will be drafted accordingly,” said Karat. He denied that change in ideology is inspired by Chinese experience.

“We have always been independent in our understanding.”
On the 2G spectrum controversy, he demanded the resignation of Home Minister P Chidambaram and said the former finance minister has to take responsibility for his action.

“The explanation provided by the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday that it is an inter-ministerial note prepared with inputs from various ministries and coordinated by the Cabinet Secretary only underlines the authoritative nature of the conclusions that have been drawn. It is not the work of any single officer or ministry. Therefore, P Chidambaram has to take responsibility for his action.”

West Bengal by-election

Commenting on the by-election results in West Bengal, the CPM General Secretary admitted that electoral trend shown in last Assembly election still continues.

Coinciding with its decision to go on an ideological revamping, the party decided to immediately start a countrywide protest campaign on issues like price rise, right to food, effective Lokpal Act, supply of fertiliser at subsidised rate, unemployment and Foreign Direct Investment in retail sector.

Karat criticised LK Advani’s Yatra, stating that “one cannot help admire” BJP’s total hypocrisy on corruption.

“The BJP has to answer its record of corruption during the NDA government starting from the Tehelka tape exposes of defense purchases to the sanction of petrol pumps. It is also accountable for the brazen corruption under its state government in Karnataka,” he said.