National
CPI(M) rules out alliance with Cong.
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, JAN. 15. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today categorically ruled out the possibility of having an alliance or united front with the Congress, a party it holds responsible for pushing ``discredited'' economic policies and decided to have a ``differentiated attitude'' towards regional parties.
Even as talks on Opposition unity against the ruling National Democratic Alliance is gaining ground, the CPI(M), in its draft political resolution, ahead of the party congress in March, has articulated its stand against major political formations.
The draft released by the politburo member, Prakash Karat, along with the general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, at a press conference here, would be discussed by State units and adopted at the 18th party congress to be held between March 19 to 24 in Hyderabad. Amendments, if any, would be incorporated then.
The draft resolution emphasised that the Congress came to power in more States cashing in on the discontent against the NDA. It held the Congress State Governments responsible for implementing the economic policies initiated at the Centre in 1991, supporting the opening up of the insurance sector and amending the patent laws.
``On secularism, the Congress cannot go along with the BJP, but it displays vacillations as before. As a party of the big bourgeoise, the Congress is hostile to a federal set-up and devolving more powers to the States. Given its class character, the CPI(M) cannot have an alliance or united front with the Congress''. However, in the present situation, the party observed it would pursue tactics that would enable all secular and democratic forces to effectively thwart the ``game plan'' of the BJP-RSS combine.
On regional parties, the resolution said that such outfits kept shifting their positions politically according to their ``narrow interests at the States' level.'' The CPI(M) said while it would ``firmly oppose those parties'' which had opportunistically joined hands with the BJP, it would cooperate with secular regional parties prepared to fight the communal forces and also enter into electoral understanding, from time to time, with them.
The resolution also called for unity of the Left forces and emphasised the need to reforge a third alternative to meet the immediate situation ``wherein both the BJP and the Congress are trying to gather forces around them and see that only two combinations emerge.'' The resolution also contains detailed views on the economic and international situation.
Change of guard?
Replying to queries, Mr. Surjeet said the results of the Assembly elections, especially in Uttar Pradesh, would cast a shadow on the Vajpayee Government at the Centre.
On whether the release of the policy document by Mr. Karat indicated a possible change of guard, he parried by stating that the CPI(M) was open to suggestions. Pressed further if he was contemplating retirement at the Hyderabad Congress, Mr. Surjeet said: ``there is no retirement in the communist party''.
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