The recent debate in top forums of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on the question of the party’s operational stance — or tactical line in communist jargon — is welcome. That it was all out in the open is also healthy for the party, as the issue is directly linked to the severe erosion of the CPM’s influence caused by successive electoral setbacks. Indeed, public appreciation of issues at stake in a party that has historically enjoyed influence, but is not an open system, will be aided by the discussions that have spilled into the media.
The CPM is slated to hold its next party congress in the next few months. General secretary Prakash Karat will be required to yield place to a colleague, as per the party’s constitution. Given this context, the open duelling on view can also be seen as competition for power for the top post after Mr Karat lays down office.
Politburo member Sitaram Yechury challenged the official view advanced under Mr Karat’s guidance that the line adopted in 1978 by the party’s Jalandhar Congress was flawed, and proved an obstacle to the spread of its influence. Mr Yechury argued that the line was just fine but the manner of its implementation was not. The matter of CPM withdrawing support from UPA-1 on the issue of the civil nuclear agreement with the US was raised. Whatever the objective, it is a healthy, and necessary, debate that could have a bearing on future alignments with other parties, including the Congress.
