New Delhi, August 29
The CPM today came out in support of electoral understanding and joint campaigning with the Congress and other “secular” parties for giving one-to-one fight to “communal forces” in coming Gujarat Assembly elections.
“This election will not only affect Gujarat but the whole country. All secular democratic forces must unite to meet this challenge. We are for one-to-one contest against the Hindutava forces to protect the social fabric in the traumatised state”, the CPM General Secretary, Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet informed mediapersons here.
Briefing newspersons about yesterday’s meeting of the party’s Central Committee, Mr Surjeet said his party would support the Congress candidate or any other party fighting the BJP to ensure that the contest was one-to-one.
However, he hastened to add that “Our initiative should not be construed as a step towards establishing the leadership of the Congress”.
“We don’t want to split the anti-BJP votes unnecessarily. The Congress is a major force in Gujarat. The details of seat adjustments were being worked out”, Mr Surjeet said.
Describing Gujarat as a “testing ground” for the BJP, the CPM leader said the communal offensive in the state spelt danger for the country’s unity. Therefore, it was essential that the Narendra Modi’s government should be dismissed and elections be held under the President’s rule, he said while stressing the need for adopting similar policy for Jammu and Kashmir elections.
