Date:16/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/16/stories/2005051609520400.htm

Kerala

Too early to support NC(I): CPI

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: : The CPI does not think it necessary to rush with support for the National Congress (Indira) floated by the senior Congress leader, K. Karunakaran.

Writing in the latest issue of the party organ, `Navayugam,' the CPI State secretary, Veliyam Bhargavan, says that it is too early to think about the approach towards the NC(I) because the new party is yet to clarify its position on various issues. There are no differences between the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, and Mr. Karunakaran on policy questions and there was no guarantee that they would not join hands once again. This being the case, the CPI would take the appropriate decision at the appropriate time after due inner party consultations, he adds.

The CPI secretary, who has clarified the party's approach towards the NC(I) in the question-answer column of `Navayugom,' has underscored the fact that factions in the Congress have nothing to do with ideological differences and that groups are formed only to enable a few to gain power. Although Mr. Karunakaran and his supporters have left the Congress and formed their own party, groupism would continue to be the bane of Congress, he reminds the questioner.

Mr. Bhargavan is also of the view that the Congress is able to survive in the State only because of the support it derives from the minority communities. The minorities have traditionally supported the Congress not because of anything the party has done to protect minority interests, but because of their anti-Communist stance. The Congress has all along tried to rally the minorities behind it exploiting this anti-Communist sentiment.

However, the situation has changed in recent times and there is an increasing realisation among the minority communities that only Communists take firm positions on their behalf. This process is certain to continue. It is easy to see what the fallout of this process would be. With minority support waning, the Congress would lose its position as a prominent political force in Kerala, the CPI secretary says.