Date:01/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/01/stories/2004110104601100.htm

National

Secular forces must stay united, says CPI

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 31. The Communist Party of India today made out a strong case for the secular forces to remain united and fight the Bharatiya Janata Party in the coming Assembly elections in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Briefing mediapersons here after the two-day National Council meeting, the CPI general secretary, A.B. Bardhan, said it was decided that the "tactics of uniting all secular democratic forces to defeat the communal forces will be followed" in the two States.

He stressed that the Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Lok Janshakti Party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the Left parties should put up a united front. "The party will go for seat adjustments and alliances with the secular democratic parties in these States to defeat the BJP and allies, and improve its own representations in these Assemblies.''

`BJP beaten, not broken'

"The BJP has been beaten but not broken," the meet said and added that it would be a blunder to underestimate its strength and potential. Referring to the contradictions plaguing the BJP, the delegates said it would "adopt a more strident Hindutva line, a more aggressive communal posture, in the hope of winning back its old position."

Questioning the success of a Hindutva onslaught, the meet called for a "more vigilant, active and strong opposition from the secular forces." It took note of the manner in which the Sangh Parivar had picked on the Communist parties as their "special targets." "We will pay back the compliment," Mr. Raja said, urging all secular forces to rise to the challenge.

Mixed report card

On the United Progressive Alliance Government's performance, the meet gave a mixed report card; expressing dissatisfaction that the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) had not been given due priority till date. "Our comrades come from the rural areas and their main criticism was that the new Government had not yet made a mark at the grassroots on issues such as agriculture, rural development, employment and eradication of poverty."

One main grouse pertained to land distribution. Stating that this had featured prominently during the discussions on the NCMP, Mr. Bardhan said if the Government "does not start distributing land identified under ceiling, `bhoodan' or wasteland, we will be constrained to start a struggle to occupy such land and redistribute them." Mass movements would be organised across the country to maintain pressure on the Government to implement the promises made in the NCMP.

FDI

As for the contentious issue of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in a number of sectors, Mr. Bardhan lamented the manner in which many key Ministers were constantly talking of it. "This presents a distorted picture of an economy dependent on FDI, whereas it is only a small component." Conceding that the Government was not discussing all issues with the Left parties, he said that they had been able to make a difference whenever they were consulted.