CPI(M) meet to discuss Left unity and right wing policies

Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member Brinda Karat today said that the 21st all India congress of the party to be held here would discuss uniting the Left forces among other matters.
Talking to reporters, Brinda Karat who was here to look after preparations for the CPM conference from April 14 to April 19 said that strengthening the party, uniting Left forces and building social alliances would be the main tasks before in the ensuing years.
These issues would be the focal point of the CPM's 21st all India congress, she said.
Admitting that the party's strength in Parliament has been reduced, she said that the party would discuss its mistakes and lapses at the conference.

The party did introspection after general elections and felt the need to strengthen the party to counter the right wing BJP government which is implementing major "anti-worker and anti-poor policies", Karat said.
"We will fight from outside to exert pressure on the government as our number is small in parliament," she said.

She said that several MPs were elected from West Bengal and Kerala but in the present situation it would be difficult to contest Lok Sabha under hostile conditions.
"Contesting candidates are being attacked, women incumbents are raped and booth agents are murdered. Under these circumstances, it would be a difficult task for the party to put up candidates," she said.

Answering a question on why the CPM failed to attract the middle class which even a new entrant like AAP could do, she said the party would discuss how to reach out to the middle class though the party mainly works for the causes of people below the poverty line.
"The party will take the opinion from every individual member and vigorously campaign against dangerous policies being pursued by the NDA government," she said.