NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday accused the Congress of having an attitude towards opposition parties that undermines efforts to build unity among secular forces to combat the RSS-BJP. The party cautioned that strengthening opposition unity is essential to counter the growth of right-wing forces.
Reflecting on the INDIA bloc and the role of opposition parties after the recent assembly election outcomes, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby highlighted a statement from the Central Committee meeting held from May 22-24. The statement emphasized that the growth of right-wing forces necessitates the unity of all Left, progressive, secular, and democratic forces.
The CPI(M) stated, The attitude of the Congress towards other opposition parties is not helpful in building the unity of secular forces in a united fight against the RSS-BJP, which is the need of the hour. The Central Committee condemned the baseless allegations that the CPI(M) had a deal with the BJP, made by senior Congress leaders during the Kerala Assembly elections. These malicious comments were made against the CPI(M), a committed fighter against communalism and a part of the INDIA bloc, it added.
However, Baby emphasized that INDIA bloc parties need to discuss and deliberate on fighting unitedly to contain the expanding footprint of the BJP. Acknowledging evident contradictions and differences among INDIA bloc constituents in different states, Baby said the opposition must work around these differences and form a united strategy to counter the BJP in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. As an example, he cited that the opposition should explore fielding one common candidate from the bloc in an adequate number of seats to contain the BJP's expansion and pave the way for its defeat.
Baby noted that during the review of assembly election results, the Central Committee held a preliminary discussion on the political, organizational, and ideological reasons behind the outcomes. The broad feature of these election results is the consolidation of Hindutva communal forces in society and their assumption of power in West Bengal. Though the BJP could only win a nominal number of seats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, their spread is a major concern, he said. The victory of the RSS-BJP in West Bengal and its return to power in Assam are a matter of deep concern for all secular, progressive, and democratic forces, Baby added. He asserted that the CPI(M) will be in the forefront to defend peoples rights and ensure communal harmony is protected.
