Tie-up with Congress in Bengal was out of tune: CPI-M politburo

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo on Monday admitted that the electoral strategy in West Bengal "was not in consonance" with the party's central committee decision.

"With regard to the electoral tactics pursued by the CPI-M in various states, the electoral tactics evolved in West Bengal was not in consonance with the Central Committee decision based on the political-tactical line of the party which states that there shall be no alliance or understanding with the Congress party," a statement from the CPI-M politburo said here.

The statement was issued at the end of a two-day meet of the party's highest policy-making body.

The statement added that the CPI-M state committees in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam will "prepare a detailed review" of the party's performance in the recent assembly elections.

"On the basis of these review reports prepared by the state committees, the Central Committee will conduct its review at its forthcoming meeting from June 18-20," it said.

The politburo in its statement lashed out at the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal for "unleashing widespread violence against the cadres of the opposition parties".

"Many CPI-M cadres have been murdered and over 600 CPI-M and mass organisation offices have been ransacked and some set on fire," it said, adding that the attacks specifically focus on constituencies and areas "where Trinamool Congress lost in these elections".

"Widespread bomb attacks, arson and extortion of huge amounts of money as ransom are being reported. Those who voted against the Trinamool Congress are reportedly coerced into paying a hefty fine for having exercised their democratic choice," the statement said.

The party called upon the people of West Bengal "to unitedly resist this murder of democracy and civil liberties in the state".

On Kerala poll outcome which has brought the Left Democratic Front (LDF) back to power, ousting the Congress, the statement said, "The politburo salutes the people of Kerala for reposing faith in the LDF in a resounding manner in these assembly elections."

"The LDF government has assumed office with a resolve to fulfill the commitments that it made to the people of Kerala during the polls."

However, it alleged that "the physical attacks by the RSS against the CPI-M and the LDF continue", adding that 41 such attacks have already taken place since the election results were declared.

"Two comrades have lost their lives, with Sasikumar, who was seriously injured in an attack at Engandiyoor in Thrissur on 22nd May, succumbing to his injuries on May 27," it alleged.

"The CPI-M calls upon the RSS/BJP to respect the verdict of the people (of Kerala) and desist from such murderous onslaughts," it said.

--IANS

nd/bim/vt