marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
June 22, 2009
Press Communique
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in
Delhi on June 20 & 21, 2009. It has issued the following statement:
Election Review
The Central Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the results of
the Lok Sabha election. It also made an in-depth study of the Party's
performance.
Among the factors responsible for the success of the Congress is that it
could utilise the people's concern for a stable secular government at
the Centre. The rejection by the people of the BJP's divisive brand of
communal politics and Hindutva benefited the Congress.
The support that the Left parties had extended to the UPA for four years
also contributed to providing legitimacy and credibility to the
Congress-led government. The UPA government had pursued neo-liberal
policies which have heightened inequalities and failed to tackle the
agrarian crisis, price rise and unemployment. Despite this, some of the
measures taken such as the NREGA, farmers loan waiver scheme, the Forest
Tribal Rights Act and the increased minimum support price for foodgrains
and other crops helped to mitigate some of the effects of these policies
and had a positive impact. Some of these steps were adopted due to the
Left's pressure.
The spate of terrorist violence culminating in the Mumbai terrorist
attack in November 2008 heightened the people's concern for unity and
the popular mood was against the BJP's communal platform which sought to
divide the people.
The Congress also benefited from the consolidated support it received
from the big business of the country who registered enormous gains
during the five year rule of the UPA.
Defeat of BJP
The BJP's defeat is significant because it has failed for the second
successive time to win the elections. The main reason for this failure
is because the people have rejected its communal platform which was
highlighted by the virulent hate speeches of Varun Gandhi and similar
propaganda by less prominent figures. The image of a hardcore Hindutva
party was heightened by the projection of Narendra Modi as the future
leader of the party. The record of the BJP as the opposition party which
mainly concentrated on disrupting parliament and not taking up the main
issues affecting the people such as the agrarian crisis, price rise and
unemployment led to loss of support for the party.
The Central Committee noted that the emergence of the non-Congress,
non-BJP combination which included the Left parties contributed to the
defeat of the BJP which was unable to get any worthwhile allies in
states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Orissa.
Withdrawal of Support to UPA Government
The Central Committee was of the firm opinion that the withdrawal of the
support to the UPA government on the nuclear deal in July 2008 was
correct. This was consistent with the Left's stand against forging of a
strategic alliance with the United States.
Non-Congress, Non-BJP Alternative
The Central Committee of the CPI(M) had called for the formation of a
non-Congress, non-BJP alternative as against the Congress-led alliance
and the BJP-led alliance. This was a correct tactic. These efforts
resulted in the electoral understanding forged by some regional and Left
parties in Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Orissa and Karnataka. However,
such an electoral understanding could not be extended beyond these four
states and the three Left-led states of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura.
It failed to be a viable and credible alternative at the national level.
Critically reviewing these efforts, the Central Committee felt that it
should not have extended the call for building such an alternative to
the formation of an alternative government. In the absence of a
countrywide alliance and no common policy platform being presented, the
call for an alternative government was unrealistic.
The Central Committee reiterated that it will continue to strive to
build the third alternative. Till then, whenever required the Party will
forge electoral understanding and alliances with like-minded
non-Congress secular parties.
CPI(M) Performance
The Party has suffered serious reverses in the Lok Sabha elections. It
has won only 16 seats. Nine seats in West Bengal, four in Kerala, two in
Tripura and one in Tamilnadu. The Party has got 5.33 per cent of the
vote, which is only marginally less compared to the 5.66 per cent it
polled in 2004. While expressing concern about the erosion in the
Party's support base in West Bengal and Kerala, the Central Committee
also noted that the Left Front in West Bengal polled around 1.85 crore
votes and in Kerala the LDF has polled 67.17 lakh vote. Though there is
some erosion, the main base of the Party is intact by and large in these
two states.
Review of Party's Performance
The Central Committee conducted an in-depth review of the performance of
the Party based on the review reports received from the states.
The Party has registered a good victory in Tripura winning both the
seats with the Left Front polling 61.69 per cent of the votes.
Apart from the all India factors, the specific situation in the states
of West Bengal and Kerala where serious losses took place were also
reviewed.
In West Bengal, the review noted the political, governmental and
organisational reasons for the setbacks suffered by the CPI(M) and the
Left Front. The review noted that there is some erosion of support among
the rural and urban poor and sections of the middle classes. There are
shortcomings in the functioning of government, panchayats and
municipalities based on a proper class outlook. This is due to the
failure of the government to implement properly various measures
directly concerning the lives of the people. The apprehension about land
acquisition has contributed to the alienation amongst some sections of
the peasantry.
At the organisational level certain wrong trends and practices have
adversely affected relations with the people. The Central Committee
endorsed the steps proposed by the state committee to take corrective
measures at the organisational and governmental level.
In Kerala, the factors responsible for the poor performance were also
analysed. The disunity in the LDF and the Party leadership had an
adverse impact on the people; the churches played an active role in
mobilising Christian votes against the LDF; the association with the PDP
caused confusion among the people. The UDF and media campaign on the SNC
Lavalin case also had its impact. Certain wrong trends within the Party
organisation have also had a negative impact.
The Polit Bureau decided to have a meeting of the Polit Bureau on July 4
and 5, 2009 to discuss specifically the organisational matters in
Kerala.
The Central Committee reviewed the overall performance of the Party in
the rest of the country. It noted the organisational weaknesses in
expanding the independent work of the Party, conducting sustained
struggles on local issues and the building of the mass organisations. It
directed the state units to implement the tasks arising out of the
reviews conducted in the states regarding these matters.
The Central Committee expressed confidence that the entire Party would
draw lessons from this electoral setback. It will identify the
shortcomings in carrying out the political line of the Party and take
steps to rectify the weaknesses in the organisation. The Central
Committee affirmed that immediate steps would be taken in states like
West Bengal and Kerala to reforge the links with those sections of the
people who have been alienated from the Party for various reasons. The
state governments will also take necessary steps to implement measures
which are expected of it by the people.
Relations with Parties
The Party will work to strengthen Left unity and maintain relations and
cooperation with secular opposition parties on people's issues, for
pro-people economic policies and in defence of secularism and an
independent foreign policy.
On The UPA Government
The Central Committee reiterated the stand already outlined by the Left
parties that they will play the role of a Left opposition in parliament.
The Central Government should take immediate steps to provide relief to
the millions who have lost jobs due to the adverse impact of the global
economic crisis. Measures should be taken to see that because of the
crisis common people are not burdened further. Though the rate of
inflation is shown to be negative, the prices of essential commodities
continue to be high. The government must take steps to curb price rise.
The Government has to take steps to devolve adequate resources and funds
to the state governments who have to primarily bear the responsibility
for tackling the effects of the economic slow down and pursue
developmental and welfare measures.
The CPI(M) will vigorously oppose all such measures in parliament and
outside which seek to push through legislations for increasing foreign
capital in the banking and insurance sector and financial sector
liberalisation. The Party will continue to oppose disinvestment of the
profit making public sector units, FDI in retail and higher education
and such sectors which are not beneficial for the country. It will press
for the adoption of the women's reservation Bill.
Protest Attacks in West Bengal
The Central Committee has issued an appeal to all its Party units and
other Left and democratic forces to protest against the widespread
attacks on Party workers, offices and supporters in West Bengal by the
Trinamul-Congress combine and the Maoists. The Party will conduct a
campaign all over the country in solidarity with West Bengal and in
defence of democracy.
end
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