CPM to decide on Congress tieup in January

The CPI(M) state committee will explore the possibility of an electoral alliance with Congress in the first week of New Year, said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday. Responding to queries whether the party would forge an alliance with Congress to counter Trinamul Congress in Bengal, Mr Yechury said, “The objective and agenda of the plenum is to discuss the organisational aspects of the party. The policies and strategies for elections will not be discussed here. As far as election strategy for our party is concerned, it will be discussed in the respective state committees. The state committees have to come up with proposals but the final decision will be taken by the central committee.”

Mr Yechury added, “No state unit of the party is autonomous and it would have to take the decision regarding alliance with any other party in accordance with the decision by the central committee and party resolution adopted in the party congress. West Bengal state committee will discuss on this in the beginning of January. Let them discuss what has to be done then we will take a decision. But this process will begin in New Year.”

When asked to comment on the statements made by Trinamul Congress’ leaders that their alliance is with the people, he said, “I do not know about their links with the people but I know about their links with money and resources and I know what they are trying to do with elected Left MLAs today. The pressure, the intimidation and all that they are putting on them to try and move them out to their side. All the TMC’s strongest links are in anti-democratic practice.”

The CPI-M also wants to deepen its footprint in the Hindi heartland. The second day of the CPI(M)’s Plenum today started with the introduction of the \"Draft Resolution on Organisation\" by Yechury.Meanwhile, the CPI(M) general secretary said the party would adopt “new methods” to reach out to the masses. He was also of the view that the organisation must grow “enormously” to counter communalism.