Thiruvananthapuram: Even as central committee of the CPM began its crucial meeting to discuss West Bengal unit’s proposal for an alliance with Congress in coming Assembly elections, Opposition Leader V. S. Achuthanandan is learnt to have backed the Bengal move. The veteran leader has handed over a note to the leadership making his stand clear on the issue.
Ahead of the central committee meeting Mr Achuthanandan had stated the West Bengal unit was the best judge of what is required in that state. His stand came as a major support for party general secretary Sitaram Yechury and West Bengal comrades who are for a broader secular alliance comprising Congress to defeat the Mamata Banerjee.
At the meeting on Wednesday, senior leader from Bengal Gautam Deb reiterated the Bengal state committee’s stand that without a broader alliance of secular parties, the CPM would not be able to make a comeback.
On the other hand, A Vijayaraghavan pointed out that any alliance with the Congress would be dubbed as an opportunistic and help BJP to launch a propaganda against the CPM. Central committee members from Madhya Pradesh, Assam also opposed tie-up with Congress. They pointed out that Vishakhapatnam Party Congress resolved to fight against the communal BJP and the Congress and party should not deviate from that line.
The discussions on the issue will continue on Thursday. While Yechury and Bengal candidates are trying to evolve a consensus on the issue, former CPM general secretary Prakash Karat are dead against any move.
With the politburo and central committee sharply divided on the issue, the possibility of a vote is not ruled out. But, senior leaders are trying hard to find a middle ground. Bengal comrades say the proposal of alliance should not be seen as a tie up only with the Congress but as broad alliance of all secular parties against the corrupt TMC government and communal BJP.
All options including electoral adjustments, friendly contests are being considered should the central committee out rightly reject the proposal for an alliance.
