CPM rumblings vindicate party’s Kerala unit

“The Central Committee now in session in New Delhi has chose to expel Sangwan from the primary membership of the party for gross indiscipline”, the Communist Party of India-Marxist said in a statement.

“There has been a marked slowdown, if not decline, in agriculture, industry and services, which collectively reflect the economic growth”.

Replying to the allegations raised, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, “We were discussing something, when she protested”.

Sangwan also accused West Bengal state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra and state Left Front chairman Biman Basu of “literally blackmailing” the entire CC by threatening to resign if the majority view was accepted during the meeting, which concluded yesterday.

The Central Committee itself reiterated the line that the seat adjustment in Bengal was not in consonance with its decision not to have an alliance or understanding with the Congress.

The open “understanding” between Congress and Left in the recent state elections in Bengal according to me was the worst example of violation of party line which was formed after such lengthy discussions and debate. “The fact that even after election results several state leaders have made public statements upholding their alliance with Congress and against Central Committee only goes on to show how cut off they are from the wishes of the masses”, she said.

Sangwan had quit the party yesterday even as the CPI (M) expelled her citing “gross violation” on her part during the CC session. Sources say her expulsion did not follow proper procedure.

Some members, especially from Kerala and Tripura, said in the meeting that Bengal team and especially leaders like Mishra and Bose could not justify the alliance with the Congress as “winning elections cannot be the sole objective” of the CPI-M.

Even the Central Committee’s emphasis on “the importance of adhering to the political-tactical line” adopted in the last triennial congress of the party, which is considered the highest decision-making body of the CPI (M), or its authorisation to the politburo “to ensure its implementation in consultation with the [West Bengal] state leadership” do not mean much. Unmindful of widespread objections, the party’s Bengal unit used the resolution to consort with the Congress during the polls. How could the party join hands with the same Congress in another state?