Date:24/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/24/stories/2008032459651200.htm

Front Page

Left unity crucial for third alternative: CPI, CPI(M)

Resolves to stall BJP’s return to power

— Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

Senior leaders of the Communist Party of India, A.B. Bardhan and D. Raja with Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat at the inaugural session of the 20th CPI congress in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: The Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) see the strengthening and consolidation of Left unity as a crucial element in moving towards a “Left and democratic” third alternative in the country.

At the inaugural of the 20th national congress of the CPI here on Sunday, general secretary of the party A.B. Bardhan and CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said the coordination and united approach of the two parties had stalled some of the “more harmful measures” of the United Progressive Alliance government.

Reiterate resolve

They reiterated their determination to “do nothing that will weaken the Left unity.” While admitting that there were some minor differences between them, they felt it was not abnormal to them on certain issues.

Both leaders reiterated their resolve to stall the BJP and its allies from coming back to power. They recalled how the BJP was utilising all the “failings” of the UPA government in its efforts to return to power. This called for redoubling of efforts to fight the Hindutva forces politically and ideologically.

Mr. Bardhan said though the policies and actions of the Left generated support from large sections, the parties were “equally conscious of their weakness in a large part of the country.” “It is on the bedrock of Left unity that our future advance will take place. Left initiative is required for creating and presenting a third alternative before the people,” Mr. Karat said.

Flay loan waiver

Criticising the loan waiver scheme for being “full of deficiencies,” Mr. Bardhan demanded that the limit of acreage prescribed under the scheme, particularly in dry, rain-fed areas, be raised, failing which large sections of farmers would be left out. There was also a need to make credit accessible and available at 4 per cent interest to farmers as the loan-waiver was a one-time relief.

Mr. Karat recalled the financial crisis faced by the United States and said it was the Left’s opposition to the full capital account convertibility that saved the country from a worse plight.