People's Democracy

Thinking Together

At present, most of the  naxalite forces are working in the mainstream as well as they are anti-fascist, anti-communal also.  CPI(M) is the biggest party in the Left Front.  What is the view of CPI(M) regarding forming a broader united front with naxalites?

Sachindranath Mitra, Kolkata

WHAT you have said regarding the naxalites is not  true of all its groups.  As you are aware, the  original CPI(ML) founded in 1967 has splintered into innumerable groups.  Some of these like the PWG in Andhra Pradesh continue to adhere to the slogan of people's war and, therefore, boycott parliamentary democracy.

There are, however, some groups who have abandoned their understanding of boycotting parliamentary democracy and have come into the political mainstream.  With such forces, the CPI(M) is cooperating on  people's issues.  Many of the mass fronts of such naxalite factions like those of the CPI(ML) (Liberation) are part of the platform of mass organisations and are participating in joint struggles.  In some cases, even at the political level, joint activities have taken place.  For instance,  in Jharkhand, recently there was a political  convention of the Left parties in which the CPI(ML) also participated. 

The question of a united front in elections is a matter that will have to be primarily decided by these naxalite groups. Some of these groups like, say in Andhra Pradesh, (other than PWG) are willing to participate jointly in people's movements but are not willing for electoral  adjustments even though they participate in the elections!

Having split from the CPI(M) in 1967, the naxalites carry a rabid anti-CPI(M) attitude. This, at times, leads to murderous attacks on CPI(M) cadres.  It is unfortunate that this continues even today even when they themselves have abandoned the line that they pursued in 1967.   Further, while being anti-fascist and anti-communal, some of these parties also do not want to have any understanding with other bourgeois parties.  The Left, mainly CPI(M), is in a position to take on the communal challenge independently in certain pockets like Bengal, Kerala and Tripura. In other places, it becomes necessary to cooperate  with other bourgeois secular parties in order to defeat the communal challenge.  Many of the naxalites do not seem to appreciate this reality.

Therefore, it is up to the naxalite groups to decide where they stand and whether they are willing to cooperate with the CPI(M) in facing the challenges rather than  habitually denouncing it.