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Saturday, Apr 09, 2005

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CPI(M) to continue fight against neo-liberalisation

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 8. Outlining a twin-pronged political approach, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the party would carry forward the fight against communal forces and intensify the battle against the policies of neo-liberalisation.

The party's future line was finalised when its 18th congress adopted the political resolutions with amendments this evening. Briefing correspondents, the Polit Bureau member, Prakash Karat, said the twin-pronged approach would be pursued simultaneously.

"Given the present situation, the task is not only to carry forward the struggle against the communal forces but also to intensify the struggle against the policies of liberalisation and the dictates of international finance capital. The CPI (M) and the Left therefore must wage a struggle on both fronts — against communalism and against the renewed push for liberalisation. The struggle against communalism and the economic policies are in fact connected to the anti-imperialist task, as both the Hindutva forces and the liberalisers are distinguished by their pro-imperialism,'' the draft resolution said.

`No contradiction'

Asked about the nature of discussion vis-à-vis support to the Congress party in running the Government and the reservations expressed by the delegates, Mr. Karat said: "Given the nature, I would be surprised if there was no disquiet ... It was not a normal situation but we accepted the reality.'' He said the party saw no contradiction in the support to the Congress-led formation and the opposition to its economic policies.

As for its quest for a third political alternative, Mr. Karat said in the party's estimate such a formation would emerge as the political situation evolves. At the same time, the party would not carry the burden of the past in establishing relations with some non-Congress, non-BJP parties. The reply came in the context of a question on its approach towards the Samajwadi Party that had wrecked the People's Front three years ago.

Having adopted the political resolution, the party congress began deliberations on the political-organisational report. This would be taken up in two phases, the first reviewing the work of the organisation since the last Hyderabad congress three years ago; while the other would be on providing clarification on policy issues such as its approach to foreign direct investment, public sector and other areas. Mr. Karat said this was necessary in the wake of the "confusion'' created by a section of media that the CPI (M) applied different standards on these issues in West Bengal, where it was heading the government, and another at the Centre.

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