Left to Distance Itself from Congress and Regional parties

NEW DELHI: The Left parties who have decided to work together in a new demonstration of unity, will not be entering into any kind of alliance with the Congress party or the regional parties in the foreseeable future.

The Left interaction with these parties will remain confined to issue based positions within Parliament, with a distance now being consciously built into these non-NDA political relationships.

This was one of the main reasons why the Left parties were not visible at the old socialists get together with Samajwadi party’s Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Lalu Yadav and Janata Dal(United) leader Nitish Kumar where they all announced a decision to work together, and in time merge as well into a single national party. The Left has stayed well out of reach this time, neither endorsing nor opposing the move.

The CPI(M) undergoing serious introspection before its Party Congress next year is also discussing its relations with the Congress party coming around to the conclusion that it will continue to maintain the distance evident in the second term of the UPA, and not bridge the gap beyond cooperation in Parliament on issues. Congress economic policies are seen by the Left parties as being close to the BJP with both expected to cooperate on such issues in Parliament, regardless of the differences otherwise.

The nature of the regional parties has also changed over the years, with the Left now more hesitant about making common cause with hitherto alliance partners. The decision by Telugu Desam, once in alliance with the Left and other parties, to join the BJP; the uncertain attitude of the Samajwadi party with Mulayam Singh being unavailable for a strong anti-communal campaign before the Lok Sabha elections; the ambivalent approach by most of the one leader parties towards the BJP and the willingness to cross from one to another are just some of the reasons why the Left parties are looking at strengthening their own base through direct programs and action, instead of wasting time with the regional leaders.

The Left has been reduced to a fraction of its earlier size, currently governing only Tripura and that too largely because of the personal reputation and ability of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. The Left, in particular the CPI(M), is losing its cadres to the Bharatiya Janata Party, in large numbers in West Bengal and lesser in Kerala. This has been a major issue of concern with the Left worried about the erosion in West Bengal where after the concerted attack on its supporters and cadres by the Trinamool Congress, it is faced with mass desertions to the BJP.

Apart from internal reasons contributing to the setback to the Left as a whole in India where it has failed to expand at all in states that were out of its control, the external reasons identified reportedly include the alliances with the Congress and the regional parties that have required levels of compromise that have cut into Left unity and progress. The effort to bring the Left parties together, however, is complex as well with the constituents having to learn again how to work in tandem with each other. However, all the Left parties are agreed that the way forward is with understanding when required, but no alliances with the non-NDA political parties.