Left parties drifting apart after joining INDIA: CPM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The distance between Left parties has grown since they became part of the INDIA bloc , suggests CPM's draft political resolution for its 24th congress early next year. It accuses the CPI and CPI(ML) caucus of sacrificing the cause of "Left unity" for a broader, poll-based alliance.

According to the draft, the only instance in the past three years of the Left troika speaking in one voice was on Israel's onslaught on Gaza. But even then, they were "unable to initiate joint action and strengthen Left unity, as desired". "A major reason for the failure to initiate joint action and activities at the national level was the disinterest of CPI and CPI(ML) for a joint Left platform ever since the moves for a wider opposition unity began," the draft states.

The resolution says CPI and CPI(ML) were so invested in INDIA bloc ahead of the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year that the Left parties couldn't meet once during that period for collective strategising and action.

The draft alleges CPI's unwillingness to work together based on shared ideology is why a Left Front doesn't exist in several states. "In Tamil Nadu, this foiled efforts to identify forces that could be part of a Left Democratic Front . It is, therefore, necessary first and foremost to arrive at a common understanding with CPI on the need for such a front," the draft states. It says CPM needs to expand its base to counter "RSS/Hindutva forces" and their activities. "Special attention (msut) to counter their caste/sub-caste penetration and mobilisation."