CPI(M) for broad-based oppn unity against Modi govt: Yechury

The CPI(M) wants a broad-based opposition unity to check the aggressive Hindutva campaign with the "patronage" of the BJP-led government and to oppose its 'neo-liberal' economic agenda.
Tipped to be the front-runner for the party's top post of General Secretary at the six-day Congress beginning tomorrow in Vishakhapatnam, senior leader Sitaram Yechury is cautious about a truck with Congress at this stage. But he welcomes the coming together of the Janata Parivar and its implications on an anti-government front in Parliament.
"Broad-based opposition unity is needed to prevent the 'Trimurti' of neo-liberal reforms, aggressive Hindutva and the authoritarian trend of the BJP-led government from becoming a 'Trishul' to damage common man's interests and the country's secular, democratic fabric," the 62-year-old leader said in an interview to PTI.

The CPI(M), whose political importance has vastly reduced after the last year's Lok Sabha elections, is expected to work out the strategy and tactical line on the opposition unity at its 21st Party Congress, the first after it lost power in its erstwhile bastion of West Bengal.
To questions on the decline of the party, Yechury said "the basic question before the party is to strengthen itself by looking at the objective reality.
"Ten years ago, the party was deciding who will form government at the Centre and now we have been reduced to single digits in both Houses of Parliament. We have lost in West Bengal and Kerala and our political presence in these and other state assemblies have gone down," he said.

Outlining the challenges before it and the national politics, Yechury said "the biggest challenge is to stop this 'Trimurti' from becoming a 'Trishul' that can rupture the people's livelihood and the foundations of the secular, democratic Indian republic.