Team News Riveting
Kochi, January 5
The simmering difference between the Left parties over promoting and projecting Congress as an alternate to the BJP at the centre has spilled out in the open.
The two prominent Left outfits, the CPM and the CPI have taken diverse positions in Kerala.
The CPI has endorsed the view of its Rajya Sabha member and national secretariat member Binoy Viswam that the Left alone can’t be an alternative at the Centre if the Congress fails, Kerala CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has contested and observed that a non-BJP national alternative won’t be possible by depending on the Congress alone.
“A national alternative cannot be formed by depending solely on the Congress,” Balakrishnan told reporters in Kumili, Idukki, on Tuesday.
“The most important task is to defeat the BJP, and regional parties have to play a decisive role to achieve that. Speaking in favour of the Congress in Kerala won’t help the Left, especially with the Thrikkakara bypoll round the corner,” Balakrishnan said.
The recent statement by Viswam that the Left parties would not be able to fill the vacuum if the Congress was wiped out at the national level had triggered the argument between the alliance partners. The CPI stands with the version of Viswam.
“We the Leftists are aware of the void that would be created if the Congress collapses before the BJP and RSS outfits. I am of the view that the Congress should not be weakened to avoid such a situation,” he had said.
The opposition parties are already divided on the issue with Trinamool Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee categorically stating that Congress will not lead the united opposition front against the BJP. Now, the Left front sees a split.
