THIRUVANANTHAPRUAM: Former CPM general secretary and politburo member Prakash Karat on Monday said that there was no ambiguity in the party over the central committee decision that West Bengal unit's electoral tactics was not in conformity with the political tactical line adopted in Vishakhapatnam Congress and the decision taken by the central leadership earlier.
At a press conference here at the end of the two-day state committee meeting, Mr Karat said the decision in central committee was very clear that there will be no understanding or alliance with the Congress and that the TMC had to be fought and ousted from power. To realise these objectives, the CPM would rally all democratic forces.
"We decided to rally all the other non-Congress secular parties. We had understanding with smaller parties in like JDU, RJD and NCP," he said. When pointed out that the central committee had not clarified publicly whether the broader unity of democratic forces would include Congress, Mr Karat said, "We did not publicly express this decision because we didn't want other forces to rally with the Trinamul Congress."
Mr Karat said as far as the present situation was concerned, there were widespread attacks against the CPM. They were also attacking other opposition parties. "We have said anyone who wants to come together to resist this can come along. This is not a political alliance or understanding," he said.
Mr Karat said the central committee had decided that there should be no alliance or understanding with the Congress in West Bengal in the coming days. On whether there would be a rethink on CPM's approach towards the Congress in view of BJP-RSS threat and TMC violence, Mr Karat said, "Our party Congress discussed all these matters when Modi government had completed one year. TMC attack was also discussed there. We didn't ask to make Congress our main target of attack. But in terms of class character, we don't term it as a democratic party anywhere in our documents."
On why Jagmati Sangwan who also opposed the Bengal line was ousted, Mr Karat said, "She resigned from the CC and primary membership of the party. She has every right to discuss the issue within the party. But she was not satisfied with the decision and wanted more action. Unfortunately she announced her resignation in public," he added.
