CPM’s Another “Historical Blunder”: The New Indian Express Editorial
The New Indian Express Editorial on Thursday criticised CPIM outrightly by calling their absence from INDIA bloc as an “historical blunder.” In the piece, the newspaper points out other failed decisions the party has committed before and argues that joining INDIA bloc was crucial for the party.
The newspaper opens the editorial with a strong blow; “The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is known for committing ‘historic blunders.’” The party’s decision of restraining Jyoti Basu becoming Prime Minister in 1996 and withdrawal of support to Manmohan Singh-lead UPA government in 2008 were among the few.
“A Marxist could have become the country’s prime minister in 1996 had the dogmatic party leaders not stopped Jyoti Basu on ideological grounds. Barely twelve years later, the CPM made another blunder by withdrawing support to the UPA government when Manmohan Singh went ahead with the Indo-US nuclear deal.”
After its withdrawal, editorial observes that party has “slowly started disappearing from the national scene.” Then it was with the new opposition alliance, INDIA and through CPM Chief Sitaram Yechury’s cooperation with various parties, the party regaining its presence to an extent. However, their statement on INDIA has withered the future again; “the party’s powerful politburo put out one of the most confusing political statements of recent times—that it would be “a member and part of INDIA, but not a partner,” editorial points out.
The newspaper adds that CPM’s stance created a setback in opposition’s united effort to deal with BJP. CPM, on the other hand, validated their decision by referring Kannur party congress in April 2022, “that there should not be any pre-poll alliance.” However, this created discontent in their close ally, CPI and in among their party members as well.
Adding, the editorial observes that CPM is numerically weak and their relevance is their credibility, which even the Congress acknowledges. So it is high time for the party choose their main opponent, otherwise, it will be a political suicide. “It will be political suicide for the CPM if it stays away from any opposition platform in the name of ideological correctness. The party is not healthy enough to survive yet another political blunder,” editorial reminds.
