CPI(M) new line is to ward off imminent defeat: MVR

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 26. The CMP general secretary, Mr. M. V. Raghavan, said that his bete noire, the CPI(M), had changed its tactical approach towards the IUML because it was afraid of the sound thrashing the LDF would receive in the coming elections.

Addressing a Meet-the-Press programme on ``Changing political scenario'', organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, Mr. Raghavan said that the number of partners in the LDF and their influence had shrunk, and corruption had become the hall mark of the Nayanar administration. The CPI(M) leadership was aware of this and they floated the new tactical line of local alliances with individual, groups and political parties, including the IUML.

He said the CPI(M) feared that the huge amount of black money it had amassed during the last four years in power would come to light. "Returning to power has become a political imperative for the CPI(M) because the party fears a detailed inquiry into its affairs once it is out of power. The CPI(M)'s new line was so untenable that one would not wish such a deplorable position to one's ardent enemies. How else can one characterise the CPI(M)'s overtures to the IUML even after the latter dumped it at the first instance," he asked.

Mr. Raghavan said that the CPI(M) was heading for a split. The party was divided over the question of ties with the IUML, while the CITU was on a confrontationist course. "Will the party dare take action against Mr. Achuthanandan on this issue", he asked. Making fun of the new policy on localised alliance, Mr. Raghavan said: "I was thrown out of the party for suggesting an alliance with the IUML. I am afraid that someone would be thrown out of the party for opposing such an alliance. The party affairs has come to such a sordid state that back-stabbing and conspiracies had become its main activity."

Mr. Raghavan recalled that he and his supporters were thrown out of the CPI(M) for daring to suggest an alliance with the IUML. They were thrown out on the pretext that the moves were against the line adopted by the 12th Party Congress.

"Actually the 12th Party Congress had not adopted any line. Our line was merely put to vote and defeated. But in all the five party congresses since the 12th congress to the 16th, the CPI(M) had adopted a consistent position, branding the IUML as a communal party. But now, the party has not even bothered to take cover under a party congress decision or even a Central Committee decision. It took a mere politburo to decide on the new course," Mr Raghavan said in a lighter vein.

In reply to a question on the alleged Congress-BJP line, Mr. Raghavan said that the CPI(M) was blatantly repeating a political lie. There is no basis for such a charge, he said questioning the CPI(M)'s double standards in its attitude against the Congress(I). "The CPI(M) does not have any qualms in seeking an alliance with the Congress(I) in States like Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Punjab. Why should it have such reservations only in Kerala?" he asked.

Mr. Raghavan hinted at a possible adjustment between his party and the CPI(M) rebels, including the CITU. He said that there were several meeting points between the CMP and the CITU, particularly relating to the powers of the CPI(M) to peruse the trade union's account. "Will the CPI(M) be prepared to subject its accounts for examination?" he wanted to know and added that the doors of the CMP would always be open.

In reply to another question relating to the July 13 RSS- sponsored violence, Mr. Raghvan hit back stating that there was nothing in the parade of the stoned KSRTC buses. "If all the KSRTC buses that the Marxist had stoned were to be paraded, it would cover the entire length of the State," he quipped.

Regarding the factionalism in the Congress(I), Mr. Raghavan said he did not want to comment on the affairs of other UDF partners. But it was his party's ardent appeal to all constituents to make doubly sure that the UDF did not lose the political upper hand it had now.

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