Left holds patent for outside support: Sitaram Yechury

Sources in CPI(M) said Yechury is of the view that without an electoral alliance or front, CPI(M) should seek the cooperation of non-Left secular parties to defeat the BJP

Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M), CPI(M) General Secretary, President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress, India News, Indian Express, Indian Express News

CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury (Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)

On the eve of a crucial meeting of CPI(M) central committee to decide on the contentious issue of its approach towards the Congress in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, party general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday said his party and the Left hold a “patent” on “outside support” to coalition governments, indicating that a future association with the Congress cannot be ruled out.

Any possible understanding with the Congress is at the heart of the tug of war between Yechury and the section of the party led by his predecessor, Prakash Karat. The political line worked out by CPI(M) in 2015 was that the “main direction of our attack should be against the BJP when it is in power, but this cannot mean having an electoral understanding with the Congress”. But with the BJP on the ascendant, Yechury argued, the situation has changed and this line will have to be nuanced.

A separate note written by him, elaborating his argument and the draft of the political resolution approved by the party Politburo, which is dominated by leaders seen as close to Karat, will come up for discussion in the three-day central committee meeting, which begins on Saturday.

At a function on Friday to release former President Pranab Mukherjee’s book The Coalition Years, Yechury, talking about the UPA-I, said although he does not believe in intellectual property rights, “I still claim one intellectual patent, and that is the concept called outside support”. He said the paradigm of coalition is “coming back” to Indian politics again.

Sources in CPI(M) said Yechury is of the view that without an electoral alliance or front, CPI(M) should seek the cooperation of non-Left secular parties to defeat the BJP. The Karat side wants to specify that instead of non-Left, the formulation should be non-Congress secular parties. Those close to Yechury argue that the party had cooperated with the Congress in the polls for the President and the Vice-President.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More

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