Congress continues to be in CPI-M’s scheme of things

Kolkata, June 29 (IANS) Even as he iterated the Central Committee's stand against the Congress, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday said the Congress was included in its scheme of building a movement to "restore democracy" in West Bengal.

Following the rout of the Congress-CPI-M alliance in the hands of the Trinamool Congress in the Assembly polls, the Central Committee -- the CPI-M's highest decision-making body - had observed that the "electoral tactics adopted in Bengal was not in consonance with the Central Committee decision not to have an alliance or understanding with the Congress".

"It has been settled within the party what the Central Committee has said. Against the murder of democracy (in Bengal), our objective is to build the broadest possible people's resistance and includes all those who are willing to come in and fight, including the Congress," said Yechury, in reply to media queries on whether the party will continue to jointly agitate with the Congress against the Trinamool.

Incidentally, the state CPI-M recently had publicly censured its legislator Tanmoy Bhattacharya for participating in a Congress called rally against price rise in the city.

Towing the official party stand, the Marxist led Left Front had decided against honouring the Congress invitation to join the June 25 rally.

Yechury also said the party during its July 10 state committee meeting will seek to rectify the reasons responsible for the electoral tactics being not in consonance with the Central Committee's line.

"The electoral tactical line which evolved in Bengal was not in consonance with the understanding of the Central Committee. Why it was not in consonance and what rectification is required, that is something that the politburo along with the state leadership will do.

"The State Committee meeting has been fixed on July 10, we will sit and decide. After all, Bengal is the most important unit for the CPI-M in India. Anything that needs to be rectified here, will be done, the process has begun," he said.

Yechury, however, parried question on the other Left Front constituents' aversion to the Congress.

"Here there is a Left Front and Biman Bose is its chairman. The Front regularly meets and they will discuss if there are such issues. Let them discuss the issue and take decision," added Yechury.