Lok Morcha will become a powerful force soon: Surjeet

By C. Gouridasan Nair

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 19. The CPI(M) general-secretary, Mr. Harkishan Singh Surjeet, has made it clear that his party did not wish to allow the Congress offer to share power to divert its attention from the immediate task of building the fledgling Lok Morcha into a political platform of Left and secular parties.

In an interview to The Hindu here today, Mr. Surjeet termed the Congress declaration unconvincing and felt that it should prove its sincerity on the question of forming coalitions and on fighting the economic policies of the NDA Government. The Lok Morcha would soon emerge as a ``powerful force'', which would channelise the resentment of the people on the economic policies of the BJP-led Government.

Excerpts from the interview:

The Hindu: How serious do you think is the Congress about forming alliances with other parties to provide an alternative to the BJP? The CPI has welcomed it...

Mr. Harkishan Singh Surjeet: The Congress has realised that it cannot have the monopoly of power. The vacuum created by its exit from power has been filled by the BJP. But we have to yet see how serious they are about it. Of course, the Congress has come out of the old rut where it said it did not want to share power. They have shifted from that position. But how sincere are they? I mean their stand on this aspect is not commensurate with the understanding of the Left.

Which would you rate as the more significant development - the formation of the Lok Morcha or the Congress declaration that it was willing to share power?

The formation of the Lok Morcha is more important because people are looking for a permanent solution. The Congress was in power for a long time and now it has been replaced by the BJP. Unless serious efforts are made, the polarisation will continue to be between the Congress and the BJP. That is why the formation of the Lok Morcha is more important than the apparent change in Congress policies. Moreover, this is not the first time that the Congress has come out with such pronouncements.

What about its stand on economic issues?

There is no doubt that there is some change in its policies, but many times the Congress has done this. On economic policies, I don't know how far it can work actively for that change because you will see that there have been so many resolutions and declarations in the past as well. You see the Congress Chief Ministers have already shown their resentment about any change in economic policies. Mr. S.M. Krishna has already come out saying that he cannot give up the policies.

Will the Lok Morcha be an agitational platform or a political one?

Both. Because unless an alternative is shown, you can't show a way out to the people. And, you see, certain common issues are agitating the minds of the people. Some organisational set up is necessary to channelise their resentment.

How different is the Lok Morcha from the United Front and Third Front? Will it follow the agenda of the Left or will there be compromises as happened with the UF?

That is why we issued a statement at the outset. Earlier, no such statement was issued. Nobody would say that those who are here represent the bourgeois-landlord classes. In the case of the UF, what happened was we were alarmed when the BJP came to power. We tried to prevent them. In doing so, we roped in everybody without looking at the positions they had on economic issues and others. We had to keep the hotchpotch going.

For instance, Mr. Chidambaram who in economic policies surpasses all in defending the big business. A person like him was also there. This time we have said that the basic principle on which it (the Morcha) could work should be clear - that it should be wedded to defending the interests of the working class and the national interest. So, the orientation towards the Left and democratic platform will have to be there in the Morcha. You see, in the coming months, it will become a powerful force. Many others are going to join it. But before letting them in, we will hold discussions and make it clear that our aim is not to wrest power, but do something to change society.

How does the defence scam figure in these calculations?

The main thing is the security of the country. This (the tehelka.com expose) has shown that any undesirable element can enter the deepest layer of our defence establishment. It also shows that the BJP and its allies are vulnerable to offers of the kind made by those who tried to expose what is happening in the defence establishment, purchase and all.

Now the BJP is trying to cover it up. The Prime Minister says a retired judge will be asked to probe it. He is trying to defend his Government after Mr. Bangaru Laxman (former BJP president) resigned and, worse, after re-electing Mr. George Fernandes convener of NDA, in effect declaring that he is their symbol. Then what is the meaning of saying that there should be a code of conduct for partymen? Mr. Vajpayee is also trying to find a way out through the mechanism of a confidence vote in Parliament. I don't know if everyone in the NDA will vote for him. It will be a test of who supports corruption and who is willing to fight it.

What does the Lok Morcha propose to do?

We have already given a call for demonstrations all over the country on Tuesday. We have given options to the State units. Some States are having harvest; there are also climatic problems. But we are going ahead.

How will the expose impact the Assembly polls due next month?

It will certainly hurt the BJP. The awareness among the people is such that whatever they (the NDA) may do to cover it up, nobody is going to believe them. Without the confidence of the people, nobody can rule the country.

Do you expect the Trinamool Congress to carry its protests to the logical end by snapping ties with the BJP?

You see, they have already stated that their understanding with the BJP will continue. She (Ms. Mamata Banerjee) has also stated that she will not vote against them (BJP) in Parliament. Which means she is keeping her options open.

The CPI(M) is going in for elections both in Bengal and Kerala? Do you agree with the argument that anti- incumbency mood is working against the party in these States?

We have been in power in Bengal for 24 years. Last time, there was some understanding between Ms. Mamata and the Congress. That cannot work this time. It was expected when she resigned that she and the Congress might join hands. The picture would have been different if that happened. Now she has made it clear that her understanding with her NDA allies will remain. So we don't see any adverse trend in Bengal.

As far as Kerala is concerned, there are two aspects. As compared to the Congress, we have done much more for the people and the people's planning movement has helped our efforts to take democracy to the grassroots. As for the Congress, there are a lot of differences. But the Left parties are united. So all these factors would show that there is no question of our getting defeated in Kerala either.

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