CPM’s 23rd party congress: Sitaram Yechury calls for secular front to isolate, defeat BJP

“All political parties that proclaim secularism must rise to the occasion to discharge this patriotic duty. The Congress party, along with other regional parties, must set their houses in order and decide where they stand to safeguard the secular, democratic character of the Indian Republic,” he said.

“Prevarications, compromising attitudes towards communalism can only lead to, as experience has shown, exodus from such parties to communal forces. Hindutva communalism can only be combated by championing uncompromising secularism.’’

Referring to the BJP at the Centre, Yechury said all pillars of Constitution, secular democracy, federalism, social justice and economic sovereignty are “under assault”.

To achieve the Hindutva agenda of the RSS, the ruling BJP is undermining every independent organisation in the country, he alleged. It is essential that the BJP be isolated to protect the people and safeguard the secular interest of the country, he said.

Yechury said the CPI(M) would discuss concrete steps to substantially increase its independent strength and its political interventions, as well as measures to strengthen the unity of the Left forces.

He projected the party-led government in Kerala as the alternative to the neo-liberal policies of the BJP government at the Centre.

“The struggle to meet the challenges that we face today, the CPI(M) government in Kerala has shown the way by uncompromisingly upholding secularism. Respecting equality irrespective of caste and gender, while at the same time seeking to implement pro-people policies as alternatives to neo-liberal agenda. The results are there for all to see and the world today is acclaiming Kerala’s high-ranking human development indices. This achievement has been on the basis of these principles of upholding secularism, respecting equality and the pro-people policy alternative,’’ he said.

While Yechuri did not refer to Congress as a political opponent, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not spare his main rival in Kerala.

Referring to the CPI(M)’s consecutive win in the 2021 Assembly elections, Vijayan said, “Bewildered by the popular support the government is getting in Kerala, our opponents Sangh Parivar, communal forces and Congress are resorting to mindless violence, which had taken precious lives of our cadres. We are maintaining restraint and people of Kerala are aware of it.”

The five-day party congress would chart out the party’s political direction for the next three years, particularly the tactical line towards Congress in the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024.