New Delhi, April 7
The CPM today expressed confidence that it would be able to put forth a formidable third alternative political force, which would be anti-Congress, anti-BJP, within three years along with Communist unity.
Politburo member Prakash Karat, widely tipped to take over as CPM General Secretary from Harkishen Singh Surjeet, told reporters on the second day of the 18th party congress here that “such an alternative would be in place before the next party congress (which takes place every three years)”.
Observing that such a non-Congress, non-BJP alternative “cannot merely be an electoral alliance, Mr Karat said there had to be “a common policy platform or a framework under which the parties (in the third alternative) should function”.
He said the CPM had “not rejected” the idea of a “third alternative” but “we want to go about it in a proper fashion. We do not want premature formation which does not take off”.
The third alternative requires bringing together of secular and democratic forces through joint campaigns and movements, he said.
Mr Karat said during the deliberations, delegates from different parts of the country discussed the resolution and raised several issues relating to the national political situation besides seeking a critical analysis of CPM’s relations with state-level parties like the DMK, RJD, AGP and the TDP.
He said extending support to the government did not mean that the CPM would give up its independent role.
The delegates stressed the need to update the party’s ideological document of 1992 in the light of later developments.
Mr Karat said 2,835 amendments to the draft political resolution were received.
The congress adopted a resolution calling on India to severe its military ties with Israel and rally behind Palestinians and their just cause.
