In alliance with Cong, CPI(M) factions aim to find middle path

The two dominant factions of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by general secretary Sitaram Yechury and his predecessor Prakash Karat, are looking at a slim chance to find a middle path in the party’s political-tactical line vis-à-vis the Congress.

With many amendments given by both sides on the muchdebated political-tactical resolution at the 22nd Party Congress here on Thursday, a steering committee of the CPI(M) will meet on Friday to consider all the amendments and make a proposal for an amicable resolution to the dispute, party leaders added.

Yechury insisted that his camp is not seeking permission for an electoral alliance with the Congress.

“There is no dispute over electoral alliance with Congress. There is no dispute in the priority that the BJP should be defeated. Each one of us knows that our priority is to get rid of the BJP-RSS government. The only difference is on how to achieve this target,” he said at a press conference here.

Leaders close to Yechury maintained that he wants the phrase “political understanding” to be made a part of the resolution.

This, said a politburo member who did not wish to be named, would allow the CPI(M) more manoeuvring space in the elections. On Wednesday, Karat also tried to show flexibility and said that the political-tactical line and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections should not be mixed up.

For the time being, Yechury also played down the possibility of a rare vote on the political-tactical line.

“The amendments will be known tomorrow morning. If anyone presses for his or her amendments, there can be voting. Otherwise, steering committee considers all amendments and makes a proposal.”

In CPI(M), voting takes place with a show of hands.

Yechury added that as long as he is in the Central Committee, the Party Congress has not seen any secret ballot.

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