Differences over CPI(M) political line grows stronger
As differences over CPI(M)'s draft political resolution grew stronger, senior leader Prakash Karat Friday said it was not the party's practice to disallow someone from taking responsibility even if he or she held a minority view. The comments assume significance following speculation regarding the removal of General Secretary Sitaram Yechury from the post in case his minority view on the draft political resolution gets defeated at the ongoing party congress here. "In our party there is always a majority and minority view. In all our political discussions, it is a normal thing to have divergent views. It is not a new thing. Once different views are expressed and it is collectively decided by a vote, then it becomes a collective opinion of the party," Karat told a press conference on the sidelines of the congress. Replying to questions, he said: "In our party, everybody has the right to express their views in the right forum. Some minority view person cannot take responsibility... ..That is not our practice." Regarding the demand for a secret ballot being raised by several delegates opposing the official draft political resolution, Karat said though this was an unprecedented demand, it has never been practiced in the party congress. However, it would depend on the congress, which is the highest decision making body of CPI(M), the former general secretary and politburo member said. "There is no instance for voting on a resolution by secret ballot so far in our party congress. It has never happened. It is not our practice. We never had this practice but this is the highest decision-making body. Let us see what our delegates say about this", Karat said. On the second day of discussions on the draft political resolution, several more delegates supported the demand for a secret ballot. Some of them also submitted this in writing. Party insiders say that generally, all voting is held by show of hands. A decision on the issue would be taken by the CPI(M) Politburo. Thursday, the demand for a secret ballot was raised by a delegate from Maharashtra, who referred to the recent massive farmers' agitation there and said that the CPI(M)'s peasants wing, All India Kisan Sabha, was able to unite the farmers, cutting across political lines. Toeing Yechury's "minority line", he had said if the party differentiated between secular parties, then the BJP would take the opportunity away. His views gained support from delegates from several states during the debate both Thursday and Friday. The critical issue in it centres around whether the CPI(M) should join hands with "all secular, democratic forces", including the Congress, to take on the BJP. While the Karat faction has been against any understanding with the Congress, the Yechury faction has favoured joining hands with all secular parties to fight the BJP in the changed scenario, especially after the recent ouster of the CPI(M)-led Left Front from Tripura as well as the victory of a united opposition in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the recent Lok Sabha bye-elections. PTI
