People's Democracy

Draft Political Resolution For The

18TH Party Congress Released

Yechury, Surjeet and Karat releasing the draft resolution

THE Communist Party of India (Marxist) has formulated four major tasks for itself in the coming period, viz. carrying forward the struggle against communal forces; intensifying the struggle against neo-liberal economic reform policies; opposing imperialist influence in our country and the world; and strengthening of Left and democratic forces across the country.

This formulation is contained in the draft political resolution for the 18th Congress of the CPI(M), which was released by Party general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet at a press conference at AKG Bhavan on January 20. CPI(M) Polit Bureau members, Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury were also present.

Explaining the salient features of the draft resolution, Prakash Karat told the media that it would be translated into all Indian languages and made available to all Party members within a week for thorough discussion. In the two months time till the Congress, they can study the draft resolution and send in their amendments if any. (see page 4 of this issue for procedure)

The draft political resolution has identified the defeat of the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections as the major development since the 17th Party Congress and noted that the three main aims set out by the Party at that Congress – ensuring defeat of the BJP; formation of a secular alternative government; and increase in the strength of the Left and democratic forces – have been fulfilled.

The draft resolution underscores the point that though the BJP has been defeated at the hustings in the recent past, the danger it posed to the polity of the nation should not be underestimated. The damage done by the six year rule of the BJP-led government is explained in the draft and the need to reverse the damage has been stressed. However, the draft noted the unwillingness of the UPA government to reverse the policies of the BJP regime. In this context, the draft clarifies the attitude of the CPI(M) towards the UPA government thus: “The Party extends support to the UPA government so that the levers of State power are not with the combination headed by the BJP. It is up to the UPA to ensure that its government has a stable tenure by implementing the pro-people measures in the CMP and by maintaining its political cohesion.” With no illusions about the basic approach and policies of the Congress-led coalition government, the Party would oppose and launch struggles against any measures which are not in the interest of the people, said Karat.

That is why the independent role of the Party has been stressed by the draft. It calls upon the Party to take up the issues of the working people and strengthen the Left and democratic alternative or the third alternative. While reaffirming the goal for forging a third alternative, the draft states that it is not an immediate possibility. And that it cannot be just a mere electoral combine but be based on programmatic understanding. It notes that the strengthening of the Left will aid in formation of such an alternative.

Responding to questions on whether the Party would review its support to the UPA government, Karat reiterated what has been stated in the draft – support to pro-people policies, opposition to all measures not in the interest of the people. Regarding the fight against casteism in politics, Karat corrected the questioner saying that it is not a phenomenon pertaining to just Bihar and that it exists all over India. He said the Party has carried on its fight against casteism and it will review in the coming Congress how far it had been able to succeed and what further needed to be done.

GODHRA REPORT

The CPI(M) has come out strongly against the attempts to gag the political parties from raising the U C Banarjee report in the election campaign in the assembly polls. Reacting to a query from a newsperson, Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat said the Election Commission should not remove politics from elections and advised the Commission not to take such a stand. Yechury stated that the U C Banarjee commission was mandated by its terms of reference to submit an interim report by January 15 and that it was now a public document, which can be used by anyone. Even earlier half a dozen judicial commission reports had indicted the RSS/Sangh Parivar on their role in inciting and indulging in riots. The political parties have a right to inform the people about this, the CPI(M) leaders said.