National
CPI for tactical understanding with Cong.
By K. V. Prasad
NEW DELHI, JAN. 16. The Communist Party of India (CPI) prefers to have a tactical understanding with the Congress with a limited aim to unseat the BJP and its allies at the Centre and the States but plans to build its own strength in the long-run to block the Congress from regaining power.
Unlike the CPI(M) which has categorically rejected an alliance or a united front with the Congress, the CPI is of the opinion that the growing differences between the BJP and the Congress could be used to advance the cause of secularism and a situation may arise when an understanding with the Congress would be necessary.
The CPI's thinking is outlined in the latest draft political resolution it has prepared for the 18th party Congress to be held at Thiruvananthapuram between March 26 and 31, where the document would be adopted with modifications, if any. The draft was adopted this month by its National Council.
Articulating its political line and tactics, the CPI said the most pressing political objective was to remove the BJP and its allies from power at the Centre and State levels. While reaffirming its policy as enunciated at Bhatinda Congress, the party said, however, it would be wrong to equate the Congress with the BJP.
The Congress, it noted, is a secular party even though on occasions it had compromised with ``communal forces'' and at the same time sought to remind that the political differences that had been growing between the two could not be ignored. ``There can be a situation where an understanding with the Congress is necessary so as to bring about the fall and defeat of the BJP and its allies during the intervening period, till a real alternative emerges out of mass actions and struggles on peoples issues'', the draft resolution said.
It goes on to argue that there were two distinct streams, one to restrict and prevent as far as possible the return of the Congress to power as an alternative to BJP. This formulation is subject to the growth of Left unity and democratic forces, which the CPI emphasises is needed. The other approach was to rally behind the Congress, as an alternative to the BJP, which the resolution notes was not correct as it could lead to the emergence of a two-party system and make the Left irrelevant and force it to support the Congress. ``Political line should not be equated with its electoral tactics'', it noted.
The CPI also emphasises the need for Left and Communist unity and clearly states that it has to start with the coming together of the CPI and the CPI(M). However, it said that unfortunately considering the present challenges and opportunities, the urgency of Communist unity was not shared by the CPI(M).
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