‘INDIA can’t be a party, only a platform’: Cautious CPM not to join coordination panel

Party leaders admit misgivings over seat-sharing, Politburo statement says “organisational structures should not be an impediment”

Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

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FOLLOWING a meeting over the weekend in Delhi, the CPI(M) Politburo has decided not to join INDIA’s highest body, the coordination committee. It will however participate in the different sub-committees of the Opposition bloc.

Sources said the party’s West Bengal leaders stressed at the meeting that while the Opposition alliance was important to stop the BJP, in the state, the CPI(M) would be better served by an alliance with the Congress and Indian Secular Front (ISF) against the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

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In what seemed like an explanation of its coordination committee stand, the Politburo statement read: “While all decisions will be taken by the leaders of the constituents, there should not be organisational structures that will be an impediment.”

In a press release, the CPI(M)’s highest decision-making body said: “The Politburo has decided to work for the further consolidation and expansion of the INDIA bloc to strengthen the efforts to safeguard the secular, democratic character of the Indian Republic, the Constitution, democracy and people’s fundamental rights and civil liberties. This requires that the BJP be kept away from controlling the Union government and state. The Politburo decided to further strengthen these efforts.”

The Politburo added that it endorsed the CPI(M) position at the last three meetings of the INDIA bloc in Patna, Bengaluru and Mumbai, “to organise a series of public meetings across the country and to mobilise the people to ensure the defeat of the BJP in the forthcoming elections”. It added: “Efforts should be focused to further expand the INDIA bloc and also to draw in significant sections of the people’s movements in this effort. While all decisions will be taken by the leaders of the constituents, there should be no organisational structures that will be an impediment for such decisions.”

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A CPI(M) Central Committee member said that there were expected issues in forming a pre-poll alliance at an all-India level. “INDIA cannot function as a political party, it can only be a platform,” the leader said, adding: “INDIA has been set up to stop the BJP and save our Constitution. Parties which are ethically and politically not the same are sharing the table as they have a common agenda to defeat the BJP. But, in a diversified country like India, you should not expect that all parties will be united on all points. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party will fight against the Congress. The same will happen in Delhi. In West Bengal, we will fight against the TMC. The CPI(M) will fight against the Congress in Kerala.”

CPI(M) state secretary Md Selim said: “We are constantly saying that this is not a political or organisational structure. INDIA is meant to build mass opinion and a movement against the BJP and fascist forces. Not just political parties but also individuals and non-political organisations can be part of this movement.”

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Another CPI(M) leader talked about the confusion over the cancelled INDIA meeting planned in Bhopal as another point of discontent.

Asked about the CPI(M)’s stand, senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee refused to comment. He added: “Recognising the importance of solidarity in safeguarding democratic values, our doors are always open to all like-minded parties. In this fight against the BJP, we shall stand tall and united

Atri Mitra

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More