‘The term Muslim appeasement has been coined by right-wing media. Muslim appeasement was never an issue,’ says CPM Politburo member.
From a high of 59 in 2004 the Left parties’ kitty fell to a low of 5 seats in Parliament in 2019. Notwithstanding the steady decline over the years, Communist leaders see a specific role for themselves and their allies as democratic secular forces. Nilotpal Basu, the Politburo member of Communist Party of India (Marxist), denies there are differences within the bloc and maintains that their collective fight is against the BJP and the RSS. Excerpts of interview with Rahul Chhabra:
Q. What do you have to say about the setback to I.N.D.I.A bloc over seat adjustment in Kerala and West Bengal?
A. There are no seat adjustment problems. I.N.D.I.A is a platform where various parties have come together to take on the BJP politically. In Kerala, Congress and the Left have decided that there will be no seat adjustment. The Congress and the Left will fight against each other and others. Even in West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has said that there would be no seat arrangement in the state and all bloc constituents can compete against each other. Even our stand has been the same since the beginning so there is no issue.
The political situation in various states is vastly different so there cannot be a national-level election alliance. The alliance should be at state-level, this was the agreed stand.
A common view on political issues needs to be developed so that we can campaign in a strong way to fight the rivals.
Q. While I.N.D.I.A bloc members accuse rivals of politicisation of religion they tend to overlook the Muslim appeasement being done by their alliance partners, including TMC in West Bengal?
A. The term “Muslim appeasement” has been coined by Right wing media. Muslim appeasement was never an issue. The issue is that of the TMC working with the communal elements in that community. The TMC claims to be a well-wisher of the minority community but this fact is not borne out by data of the West Bengal government.
Q. How many seats do you think will the INDIA bloc win in the coming general elections?
A. This is a hypothetical question. I don’t think we need to set a target. Seat arrangement is being worked out state-wise by the parties which are part of the India platform. Which party will contest how many seats in which state will be decided as we move forward.
Q. Do you think a lack of a PM face in the I.N.D.I.A bloc is going to be a disadvantage? They say without a face to lead the bloc, you are under-prepared?
A. This is not a Presidential election. That is what the BJP is exactly trying to do. We cannot agree with them otherwise what is the point of our being in the Opposition.
Q. How does the Left see the recent event in Ayodhya?
A. They had called the event in the Rashtra’s name but they have showcased the sarkar, PM and the CM. It was not at all related to religion or Lord Ram. We are criticising the politicisation of religion. We are not criticising any religion.
Q. Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being taken out by the BJP? What do you have to say?
A. There is no question of Viksit Bharat. They have been talking about Viksit Bharat since 2014. Their vikas is for whom, look at the unemployment rate, the price rise…schools are getting closed.
Q Do you think your rivals are trying to create a misleading narrative?
A. We need to stop them and cannot agree with their narrative. They want to establish a “Hindu Rashtra”. There has to be opposition to this. Their narrative and argument is not in keeping with the spirit of Constitution.