Popular sentiment in favour of coalition to oust Mamata: CPI-M

The CPI-M on Tuesday maintained that it was yet to discuss the issue of a probable electoral understanding with the Congress for the 2016 West Bengal assembly elections, but said popular sentiment was in favour of a coalition to oust the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee.

Stating that the party will discuss its plan of action for the assembly polls only after its ongoing organisational plenum here, CPI-M politburo member Mohammad Salim said the Marxists have been pioneer in implementing coalition politics in the country.

Asked about the speculation of a possible truck with the Congress, the Lok Sabha member said: "It's not only a few leaders, many are talking about the need for a coalition. In fact, the popular sentiment is that a coalition is essential if the Trinamool Congress has to be removed from Bengal.

"The CPI-M can boast of being the pioneers in implementing coalition politics in the country. Despite the CPI-M having absolute majority, we have formed coalition governments, for example in Tripura now. For us, coalition or alliance isn't an electoral equation, it is about uniting to struggle for the people oppressed and exploited," Salim said.

CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said the party will debate and discuss the issue of aligning with the Congress in January.

Salim also said one of the key points in the ongoing plenum was on attracting and inducting youth to the party.

"We have to focus on bringing in younger people in the party as also developing them into cadres and leaders. It's a part of the party's rejuvenation process as a whole.

"The plenum is focussing on the changes that has taken place in the last three decades in our country, society, culture, our livelihood and the impact they had including enrolling and recruiting youth to the party," said Salim.

He, however, said attracting the youth was a challenge and the party was exploring means to face it.

In the plenum, a resolution was also passed to observe the centenary year of the October Revolution in Russia after which Vladimir Lenin came to power.