Visualising a political vacuum at the national level, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday predicted that Left and democratic forces would occupy that void being created by the collapse of the coalitions led by the Congress and the BJP.
“The recent political developments showed the failure of the two combinations — the UPA [the United Progressive Alliance] and the NDA [the National Democratic Alliance] — to consolidate. The [outcome of the] Assembly elections in the five States have reflected this trend. … As… the bankruptcy and venality of the present order becomes [more] apparent, the people are looking for an alternative... [and it] can be provided only by the Left and democratic forces,” CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said in the inaugural address at its 20th Party Congress here.
The Congress and the BJP were pursuing neo-liberalism and indulging in a loot of natural resources. There was little to choose between them when it came to corruption, supporting an effective Lokpal Bill to curb graft among public servants. The CPI(M) would bring in a whole range of measures, including electoral reforms, to curb money power in politics, he said.
Hindutva forces were pursuing an agenda that was inimical to the secular-democratic systems and values, and the minorities were facing constant attacks and suppression of rights in the States where the BJP ruled, he said.
Having quietly buried the idea of a third front, the party is clear that an alternative Left and democratic platform will come up in stages: strengthening of the party; expansion of its base and influence across the country; working towards Left unity; and finally rallying other democratic forces.
The shift in political approach should be seen in light of the severe setbacks the CPI (M) and other Left parties suffered in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, and in the West Bengal and Kerala Assembly polls.
The loss of the ‘Red Fort' in the two States was symbolically made up by panels resembling the walls of the Mughal fort in New Delhi, which formed the backdrop of the stage and the entry to the venue, ‘Harkishan Singh Surjeet and Jyoti Basu Nagar.'
The two veteran Marxists died since the last party Congress was held in Coimbatore. The former West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, was conspicuous by his absence.
Referring to the electoral losses, Mr. Karat said the party identified the shortcomings and weaknesses in the political and organisational set-ups and took steps to correct them. The party, which had a mass base in West Bengal, would counter the violence unleashed against its workers and supporters.
As for the ideological clarity the Party Congress is expected to provide, he said: “The CPI(M) has always believed in applying Marxism-Leninism to the concrete conditions of India, to chalk out its revolutionary path. We have never tried to emulate models abroad. We have to constantly update our ideological understanding and equip ourselves to meet the challenges of the contemporary era.”
Over the next five days, the party would discuss the political, ideological and organisation issues, including an amendment to its constitution to set a three-term limit for members occupying the post of secretary, be at the local committees or at the Central Committee.
Wouldn't it be a marvellous thing in the world if ANY political party
could put PEOPLE before dogma-driven POLITICS? What about any party
actually doing something good, without personal interest, without
worrying about taking credit for doing it, without feeling the need to
ram it down people's throats in case they forget to re-elect, not
'ruling over citizens' but ‘serving public good’, without viewing
political power as some kind of medieval fiefdom granted by the
Monarch (hereditary Supreme Leader, if you prefer)? What options can
citizens have if opposition parties are not differentiated, nor offer
sensible alternatives? Is it because of lack of vision and ideas, or
the lure of the unimaginably lucrative ‘family business’ that politics
in India has become? Must Indians remain condemned even in 2012?
Karat speech is Very reactionary to your yesterday's article on time for House-cleaning. soviet union split & communism failed due to throat shoving of its policies during Indira Gandhi regime. Subsequently they lost the visibility in Kerala and West Bengal says that they could not live up to the people. All just words but no delivery. His speech draws parallel to a hero while dress- changing in a theatrical drama or a cinema, a joker comes and starts imitating ‘like’ “a hero” in that small gap of time. Makes one laugh, like watching a drama. He has simply drawn a crossness to keep everyone's attention. Some thing like Chennai traffic, in a cycle gap you drive a car at jet speed. There in no void any where,the world is complete. That is the wisdom in a vedic prayer "Purnamadah: purnam idam pUrnaAth purnamadhuchyate pUrnasaya pUrnamAdhaya purnam 'eva avashisyate". The perceived void is not void. if there is void then it is the 'incomplete' understanding and vision of the perceiver.
The finance-driven global capitalism is unsustainable today. The world was talking about the future of capitalism; despite scientific and technological advances being utilized by the capitalist countries, nearly two billion people suffered from multi-dimensional poverty. The Congress and the BJP were pursuing neo-liberalism and indulging in a loot of natural resources. There was little to choose between them when it came to corruption, supporting an effective Lokpal Bill to curb graft among public servants. Hindutva forces were pursuing an agenda that was inimical to the secular-democratic systems and values, and the minorities were facing constant attacks and suppression of rights in the States where the BJP ruled.
It is clear that only Left and democratic forces would be an real alternative of the Congress and the BJP.
Mr.Karat is very right in saying that left and other democratic forces can be a good alternative at the centre.Considering the failures of neoliberal policies in the US and Europe and near-policy handicappness at the centre in India,Left and the democratic-centrist paries like SP,JD(U),BJD,TDP etc can be a real contender at the centre.The time is ripe for an alliance of these parties together which can take both the Congress and BJP.As many political forces move towards ideological vacuum,the leftist ideology is still the more relevant and productive.
To fulfill his ambition or dream either of the national party supports it would not be happens in the present political system and it proved in the previous third front government also. Either of the national parties secured less than hundred and third front leading parties collectively cross 200 benchmark then they can think of forming alternative to UPA or NDA. But in the present political system or joint venture impossible to imagine as any of the regional parties allied with either of national parties some of them running government and few directly or indirectly supported. If SP and left parties performs so well in forthcoming parliamentary election by getting more than 100 think of brining old allies to it fold and initiate forming of third front government. If he works in this towards from now onwards not difficult to refuse or deny of in future we going to get one more third front government in center. But how many of the regional parties inclination towards this concept and ag
India can live with anything except the Left. Even Mamta Didi is better
than the communists.
I hope the proponents and protagonists are not rigid "marxians".
That they shun the Machiavellian, "The ends justifies the
means..." principle. That they acknowledge that all life, nature
and the environment are paramount, to be loved and be cared for.
That they will be prepared to look into cooperative models like
the Mondragon in Spain and Islamic banking and investments to
counter Micro Finance for instance, for supporting the development
of agricultural and industrial cooperatives. That grass roots
education, propagation and agitation will not be jargon driven and
that terms like 'neo-liberal regime' are correctly defined and
explained for instance. That information, communication and
support network is positive and efficient at all levels. That they
do not bore the pants of everyone with long winded lectures and
statements.
The journey may be long but the sooner the first step is taken the
better.
Wishing the progressives every success in their endeavour.
Both parties first to be indianised. The climatic conditions in Russia and China should not influence the political conditions of these parties
here.They are no more rigid and flexible on economic matters.Only personalitis clashes keep them apart.They should not wait for call from the Congress,to help them breathe at times of emergencies.Their past records in this aspect was not clear.Of course leftists should unite and live for change in the society.
"Mr. Karat mentioned losses.. refrained from reiterating reasons
behind it." It is no rocket science to understand the inexorable
fading away process of Communists of various shades and
denominations. Obstructive and obscurantism philosophies of
Communists has no place in modern day life and people of this country
have the genius to understand the perils of handing over power to
them. I see no future for these parties if the recent election devastation at West Bengal is any indication.
GA- Grand Alliance.
Parties - CPM, CPI and all their breakaways together 60 seats with ahem! eh! BSP 40 seats, AIADMK 40 seats, TRS + YCongress 42 seats,JD (S)- 18 seats, All and sundry break aways who may win a seat or two each to make another 40 seats - TOTAL 280 seats. A incendiary ready to explode on the face the voters and EC.
This could be shorter than the 'Janata Dream', but may beat the 1st BJP initiative.
Am sure thats what Mr. Karat has in his mind when he says 'Alternative'.
Before saving the country the left parties should set their house in
order. They have no agenda for development and they like to remain in
the post war communist era. six decades have gone by since the war
came to an end and we are no longer the same people we used to be.
On the contrary polit bureau members of the left parties are spotted
in American fast food chains savouring the same burgers they hold
responsible for devastating the poor.
Left is not and will never be an alternate in India or the modern
world. Communist parties across the world have shifted from their far
left agenda to a more center to left role to remain relevant in
politics. Its time for a change in India too.
Kerala on and off tries CPM, its more corrupted than others....all parties are mathematica......we need partyless government
There could be alternatives and there should be but neither this man nor
his party and its ideology can provide it. His ideology created the last
century's myth which fortunately exploded by the end of the century. But
of course there are people who slavishly follow these people but that is
their business. Alas when we allow them to rule a nation of 1200 million
people.
Well, we have seen what left front has done to West Bengal and Kerala.
If countrymen are happy about it they would have their chance to be in
power in the center as well, but it is doubtful and looks to be wishful thinking. However, the most important point the country is
demanding from its polity is whether this system of democracy is still
good or outlived its time. Corruption people talking and seeing what
pushy lifestyle and lust of money earned through wrong means by the
politicians by and large is a danger enough to guard the nation. What
could be in store for India is still a big question?
Mr Prakash, I urge you to be practical and sane in your statements. Last time your were seen on the national stage was when You and your party behaved as authoritarians dictating every policy to Central government. The result was more support for UPA which ultimately led to more corruption. In this era of coalition politics, consensus is the answer and disbanding some of your foolish polices which ruined not only Bengal but the entire nation.
The problem with Mr Karat that he is not reading writing on the wall properly. Instead of making comment on state of situation in India,
It is high time communists in India, particularly CPI(M) understands ground reality of globalisation and liberel systems across the globe.
Mr Karat is far away from reality.Under his leadership, party's credibility and acceptance has gone down everywhere in India.
So long as you brand BJP as communal forgetting the Sikh killing you will not succeed. Your esteemed news paper has joined the Coomunist band wagon by simply blacking out the reports of Court proceedings agasinst Sanjjan Singh while column after column are being written about Modi These Communists most unashamedly joined hands with Congress in 2004 and became a silent spectator of so many scams
Karat has to remember that people have found an alternative for the Left Parties in their strongholds viz. Kerala and West Bengal. For whatever it is worth, both Congress and BJP are clearly more popular among than the Left parties combined. Doesn't that say something about the Left?
Last thing this country needs is these pseudo intellectuals ruling
India.
CPI(M) Forming a third alliance with independent and secular parties like Trinamool Congress, AIADMK, JD(U) and other regional parties is like forming a cricket team with 11 captains. With people like Jayalalitha, Mamata Banarjee, Nithish Kumar & Mulayam ( provided SP joins this alliance ) all with PM dreams, who is going to control and lead the alliance...? This might work in dividing the vote bank held by NDA & UPA but will lead to a hanging parliament. If NDA is successful in pulling in AIADMK and TDP they have a formidable chance this time.
Mere wistful thinking, nothing will materialize. In 2014 or earlier it
is only between NDA and UPA. Mr. Karat had criticized Congress and BJP.
Who are the other political parties secular and democratic? Which
political party is non-secular in its approach? Let us know the
structure of each political party, its aim, working method, their
opinion about various social,economical anomalies, their remedial
measures etc., so that we can tabulate and choose the suitable one.
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