Comrades watching, how Walesa righted Left slip

Poland’s Solidarity leader Lech Walesa’s rather elaborate discourse on how he brought Communism on its knees made for uncomfortable moments at the international conference on Gandhian philosophy. Left parties supporting the Congress were represented in the front row, as Walesa held forth on how Gandhian methods of protest led to the collapse of the authoritarian Communist regime.

CPM general-secretary Prakash Karat and CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja were distinguished guests at the inaugural session where Walesa was speaking. He said Communism was causing a division of humanity, and then immediately added that he meant “Soviet form of Communism.” Perhaps reminded of the presence of India’s top Communist leadership in the audience, Walesa offered a further explanation: “Some Communists here and there are good. My opposition was to the Soviet form,” evoking laughter among the audience even as Sonia Gandhi gave an approving smile to her Left allies.

Indian Marxists who have been traditionally critical of the Mahatma, said their presence at the conference was “because the Congress invited” them. Karat refused to comment further, but D Raja said “satyagraha was a form of struggle and irrespective of our disagreements with him, the Mahatma was the tallest leader of the freedom struggle.”

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Delegates from China, Cuba and some other countries are expected to meet CPI and CPM leaders also.

The Congress-organised two-day conference became a venue for bonhomie for UPA allies as well. DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran, LJP’s Ramvilas Paswan and RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav were among the distinguished guests who sat through. All of them are expected to be back again for Tuesday’s concluding session.