‘If PM is talking reforms with a human face, it is Left influence’

• After fighting against the Congress in Kerala, Tripura and West Bengal and winning, your party has extended support to the Congress to form a government at the Centre. Don’t you think that it is a mockery of the people’s verdict? As a Communist, have you ever criticised Harkishen Singh Surjeet wearing a turban as against Communism? Will you provide the same support when Hindus become a minority? What will you do then?
Ram

One should keep in mind that the verdict given by the people of Kerala and West Bengal is not only against the Congress but also against the BJP. The Left, being a consistent fighter for secular democracy and against neoliberalism, emerged victorious as a better alternative in these states. Generally the verdict of the people is for a change of government and for a secular democratic alternative government at the Centre. While the BJP is a right-wing party guided by the RSS, whose ideology is Communal Fascism, the Congress party is not communal. That is the reason the Left has decided to support the Congress-led UPA Government from outside. It is in consonance with the verdict of the people.

We do not think that wearing a turban is against Communism. It is the Sangh Parivar that has been creating the imaginary fear that Hindus would become a minority. We do not believe either in majority appeasement or in minority appeasement. We stand by people. We support the right of the people to follow any faith or religion. We are for social harmony. We are opposed to all kinds of Communalism, communal hatred and violence.

• Why doesn’t the Left Front join the Congress Government at the Centre? Is it always support from outside for the Left Front? What stops you from joining the Government? Are you scared the people might reject your outdated principles?
Shailendra Kumar

The Left has collectively decided to support the Government from outside. It is not a question of guts or no guts. It’s a question of assessment of the situation and of the role of the Left. The Left is of the view that it can play a very positive constructive role not being part of the Government but supporting it from outside. It is not that the Left tries to wield power without taking any responsibility. In fact, it is responsibility without power.

The Left has agreed to work with the UPA in coordination. The Left played an important role in formulating the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). If at all, the CMP has a greater degree of Left imprint, as many think it is due to the alternative economic policies of the Left. The UPA leaders, including the Prime Minister, are talking about economic reforms with a human face. This is the influence of the Left economic policies on them. It is not empty rhetoric. Left has been consistently fighting for self-reliant economic development with social justice. No doubt the Left is the defender of the interests of the working people, who are the primary productive force in any economy.

• China, ruled by a Communist party, has accepted market economy and every company wants to go there. What is your objection to India taking such a course slowly?
Neeraj Nanda

It has been rightly said that China is ruled by a Communist party not by market economy. One should not be that ignorant or naive to claim that India has no market economy. India does have the capitalist market economy. India does have a big market. The question is whether India should emerge as a self-reliant, strong manufacturing country or should it remain subservient to imperialist globalisation and succumb to the status of economic slavery to MNCs.

• Tell us one good thing that you have done, which any other party has not been able to or has not done till date.
Kalyan C

The Communist Party of India stood at the forefront of our freedom movement and made supreme scarifies. The Communist Party of India is the uncompromising fighter against communal Fascist forces. It is the defender of democracy and rights of the people. The CPI is proud of its contribution to building and shaping modern India as a secular democratic republic.

• Under the influence of Big Brother CPI(M), is the CPI not committing a mistake by refusing to join the Government?
V D Sudame

The CPI, CPI(M), RSP, AIFB collectively decided not to join the Government but to support it from outside. There is no question of one influencing the others. It is absolutely the perception of the CPI that in the situation as it prevails today the Left should move together and Left unity is of paramount importance.

• The very reaction of the markets to the voting in of a coalition supported by your party shows what a welcome you have from those Indians who matter to Indian economy. Firstly, please let us know what you think about the market’s reaction? Please do not commit a faux pas by saying that the market’s reaction is unimportant or insignificant! I would also like to pose a question, as a young Indian, that what are the policies that the CPI has for India that distinguish the CPI from other so-called ‘secular’ parties? Please be specific and unequivocal for the sake of truth and common sense.
Ashu

Firstly, market is not the only indicator of the health of economy. It can be at best one of the indicators at ‘periphery’. Let us know that there are countries without stock markets. They do have economies. Even today in India, more than 90 per cent of the people remain outside the pale of markets. Markets have no concern for these people. Secondly CPI and all parties have been attacking the government and fighting against disinvestment ever since the policy was implemented. Market was happy because the BJP was in power and Left was not nearer to power. Increase in Sansex points and bounce in the stock market were ingredients of the ‘India Shining campaign’ launched by the BJP and NDA.

Thirdly, the so-called market and its captains wanted a right-wing government. They wanted the NDA to be voted back to power. But in democracy, people are the masters. They voted out the BJP and elected secular democratic forces to government. Market, with its contempt for democracy, started to create panic and anarchy by deliberately causing a decline. When Dr Manmohan Singh got elected as PM, they showed market bouncing back. When he declared that profit-making PSUs will not be privatised, markets stumbled. When P Chidambaram was given Finance portfolio, market behaved differently. When CMP was announced, the behaviour of market was different. Therefore market cannot dictate to democracy and subvert it. We are concerned with the vast majority of our people who do not have food and drinking water.

CPI is a party of the working people of the country. It stands for socialism, secularism and social justice. It fights for democracy and for fundamental change.