CPI leader D. Raja on Sunday underscored the need for all secular democratic parties to come together to stall the further expansion of the BJP-RSS combine.
Reacting to the defeat of the Left Front in Tripura, he said: “It warrants a serious introspection. All secular democratic forces should come together to counter the BJP-RSS combine.”
The Congress, Mr. Raja said, could not be kept out of the combine of the “secular-democratic” forces. “With all its limitations, the Congress is a pan-Indian secular party. But it needs to amend its anti-poor economic policies.”
Mr. Raja’s statement is significant given that the CPI(M) is divided on this very question.
In Hyderabad next month, a party congress will discuss the draft political line, cleared by the Central Committee in Kolkata in January. It advocates “no alliance or understanding” with the Congress.
Mr. Raja said the Tripura election results underscored the fact that the BJP-RSS could do anything to manipulate the people’s mandate. “The results show the BJP, a political tool of the RSS, is capable of using all powers available to it, including money and muscle. This aggressive pursuit of the Hindutva agenda of the RSS is the real threat to democracy.”
In the 25 years of Manik Sarkar’s rule, there was no allegation against the government, Mr. Raja said. “Northeast India is a strategically sensitive region. The Left Front ensured good governance and maintained harmony and peace, especially between tribal and non-tribal communities.”
