T’PURAM/MALAPPURAM: Amid its tussle with CPM over the deputy leader of opposition post, CPI received an unexpected surprise from IUML: an ‘invitation’ to join the UDF. But the overture was politely rejected, even as the ‘big brother’ continued its onslaught on its junior ally.
In an article titled ‘Right-wing CPM and the survival of CPI’ in Chandrika daily on Saturday, IUML national vice-president K P A Majeed reminded CPI of the ‘good old days’ of the C Achutha Menon government when the party, Congress and League ruled the state together. Majeed wrote that CPI had been pushed to the sidelines after falling into CPM’s trap and described the Left alliance as a “master-slave system” dominated by CPM.
“The foundation of Kerala’s growth was laid during the Achutha Menon government, when Muslim League, CPI and Congress ruled together. No matter how much time has passed, CPM cannot accept that Kerala became number one when the three ruled together,” he wrote. Majeed later said he had neither issued an invite to CPI to join UDF through his article and nor did he have the authority to do so.
IUML state general secretary P M A Salam, too, said the article was not an invitation. “It is about the neglect CPI is facing in the Left front,” Salam said. However, he said it was for CPI to decide whether it wanted “a shade” from the scorching sun.
‘Made sacrifices for LDF’s formation’: CPI declines Muslim League’s offer
IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said the matter could be discussed. “Majeed has cast an idea; let there be discussions. This is not a one-way street, let CPI decide too,” he said.
However, CPI rejected the offer albeit with a token of gratitude. Stating that no such plan was on the cards, the party made it clear that it would not indulge in anything that hurts LDF, which is also its creation.
“The LDF is our child. We know how important Left politics is to the state and the country. CPI made major sacrifices for LDF’s formation, more than many others,” CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam told TNIE. He, however, acknowledged IUML showering praises on his party with gratitude. “We don’t blame IUML for inviting us. But we wouldn’t tread that path. CPI clearly remembers the League’s past history in Kerala politics,” he said.
“During the time of C Achutha Menon, IUML stood with us for progressive initiatives like land reforms. Many League leaders had to give up hundreds of acres of land, yet the party supported us. We haven’t forgotten it. We, however, won’t do anything against LDF’s interests,” he said.
Meanwhile, CPM stepped up its attack against CPI. In an article in party mouthpiece Deshabhimani on Saturday, state secretariat member C Mohanan questioned CPI’s political credentials and its claim to a greater role within LDF.
He accused CPI of being the only communist party in the country to have supported the Emergency. He also referred to the tenure of Achutha Menon as chief minister, alleging that his government gave Congress “a left-oriented image” and witnessed the killing of engineering student P Rajan following a brutal police assault. Mohanan said CPM had never contemplated an LDF without CPI.
He also pointed out that CPM had never joined a government with Congress, though party veteran Jyoti Basu was once asked to become prime minister.
Taking a direct swipe at CPI over the deputy LoP issue, Mohanan said the party should have raised its demand within the LDF instead of taking the issue to the media.