'Ideology based reunification of Left to be discussed after LS

: Senior communist leader and Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam Monday rekindled the idea of "ideology based reunification" of the CPI and the CPI(M) to carry on its fight against the 'divisive agenda' of Sangh Parivar politics.

His remarks come in the backdrop of the Left parties facing a tough fight in its former citadels West Bengal and Tripura and facing unprecedented challenges in its South Indian stronghold Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls.

Viswam said leaders of both parties would discuss the issue of "ideological, organisational and political reunification" of CPI and CPI(M) after the General Elections.

"We have faced setbacks in our history. But we have made comebacks too. A strong unified Communist force is required to counter the RSS and threat of fascism," Viswam, who is also the national executive committee member of the CPI, told a meet-the-press programme here.

To a query on 'unprecendented situation' the Left parties face in the current situation in Indian politics, he said both parties would study their experiences after CPI(M) emerged from a division within the CPI in 1964 on the basis of various ideological and political issues and discuss the issue of "ideology based reunification" of the Communist parties.

Earlier also the CPI had said the reasons that led to the split in the Indian Communist movement 54 years ago had become increasingly irrelevant and the current task before the leadership was to explore ways of a reunion.

However, the response from the CPI(M) on the issue had always been lukewarm.

The Left parties were strongly placed in West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala.

According to political analysts, the prospects of the Left, headed by the CPI(M) and CPI, look bleak in their former citadels West Bengal and Tripura and the party is expected to win maximum seats from LDF-ruled Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls.