New Delhi, May 15
Several Politburo members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were in favour of joining the Congress-led coalition government at the Centre. However, they today left the final decision on the issue to the party’s highest body, the Central Committee, which would begin its two-day meeting here tomorrow.
Although there was no official word about the party’s stand on joining the government, sources indicated that several Politburo members during their day-long deliberations expressed the view in favour of being part of the coalition.
In a marked shift from the stand taken by the party in 1996, when former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu was offered prime ministership, but was opposed by a section of the CPM leaders, sources said the “hardliners” within the politburo were veering around the view that the “historic” mistake should not be repeated.
It is believed that the main reservation against joining the government is coming from the Kerala unit of the party because of its tough fight with the Congress in the state, while the Bengal unit was more vociferous in being part of the coalition as the Trinamool Congress is seen as the principal Opposition party in there instead of the Congress.
Party General Secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet told reporters after the politburo meeting that its decision would be conveyed to the central committee for a final decision. “In our party decisions are not taken solely by the Politburo,” he said.
Party spokesman Sitaram Yechuri rejected suggestions of differences within the politburo saying: “Opinions are discussed at the politburo but decision is collective.”
Diluting the stand it had taken on divestment, the CPM today said partial disinvestment “could be discussed” but it was opposed to the privatisation of profit making units.
