‘Notion that BJP cannot be defeated is changing ... Cong has no leadership’

INTERVIEW WITH M V GOVINDAN CPI(M), KERALA STATE SECRETARY

THE LEFT Democratic Front is gearing up to take on both the Congress-led united democratic Front and the BJP in Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls, and avoid a repeat of 2019 when it won just one of the state’s 20 seats. cpi(m) Politburo member and the party’ s Kerala sec reta ryMV Go vin dan“master” speaks to the Indian Express about the major election issues, why he thinks the Congress is not in a position to unite anti-bjp votes, and the BJP. Excerpts:

What are the major poll issues for the Left?

The current situation in the country is worse than during the Emergency. Secularism, federalism, democracy, and the Constitution are facing threats from the BJP regime.

What about the BJP’S development pitch?

While (Prime Minister Na rend ra) mo di has not been able to address the issues of ordinary people, he has helped (industrialist Gautam) Adani develop by ensuring the country’s wealth reaches him. No fascist government in the world has survived and the same fate awaits the BJP.

There is a general perception Modi will win a third term.

The first phase is more than two weeks away. The trend is changing fast. The electoral bond issue has exposed thebjpandw ill prove to be a turning point. The notion that the BJP cannot be unseated is changing. We saw how the BJP was trying to cover up the scandal in the Supreme Court. Modi has created an aura that he is a towering leader but, in reality, he has not grown beyond the status of an RSS leader.

Will the electoral bonds issue will influence voters?

The people of Kerala have taken serious note of the issue. Never before has the country’ s image been shattered in front of the whole world like this. The CPI(M) was the only party against electoral bonds on the ground that they were unconstitutional. The scheme is like goons collecting money after threatening people.

Is CAA a centre point of CPI(M)’S campaign?

We did not factor in minority or majority votes while taking a political stand. Through the CAA, the BJP aims to convert India into a religion-based rashtra, which will shatter its secular fabric. While the Congress has watered down its stand, we will not compromise. While the BJP practises extreme Hindutva, the Congress resorts to soft Hindutva.

What is your take on the Opposition INDIA bloc?

We have taken a stand that every state should be viewed as a unit. The party with the edge in a particular state must get the support of non-bjp parties to consolidate anti-bjp votes.

The Congress should have taken the lead. Unfortunately, it is not in a position to shoulder the responsibility. They do not have a leadership... When serious issues were being debated, Rahul Gandhi was on a ya tr a that did not yield any significant results.

But the CPI(M) is a Congress ally at the national level.

Where is the alliance with the Congress? In states where the Congress is seen to be influential, they have not held any seat-sharing discussions with INDIA bloc partners.

Many Left leaders claim the Lok Sabha polls will throw up results like 2004.

I did not say this. History never repeats itself. The CPI(M) accords importance to its political stand rather than a role in the government. We have a clear stand on issues. For instance, we had a clear stand on issues like Ram Temple. Did the Congress take a stand?