The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : Q&A: Deepankar Bhattacharya

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Thursday, Apr 08, 2004

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National - Elections 2004

Q&A: Deepankar Bhattacharya

In the 12 years since shedding its underground existence, the CPI-ML has come to field candidates in 16 States and two Union Territories. Its general secretary, Deepankar Bhattacharya, tells K. Balchand about the repression the party workers still face and says that the outfit is a secular force to reckon with. Excerpts:

You have come a long way from being an underground organisation to participate in the democratic system. Since you have experienced both do you think you have done the right thing?

Till December 1992 our party was formally not an open party, and after that we have been working as a registered political party. At the State-level too we have received recognition from the Election Commission.

For more than a decade as an open party and in the 1980s when many [of us] were working for the Indian People's Front we have been subjected to tremendous state repression. And even during this election, in many parts of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, the situation is the same.

The state confronts us regardless of the party in power. Our people are being forced to renounce the party at gunpoint. We have written to the Election Commission about the police brutality and repression in the State.

Do you still indulge in underground activities?

The question of being underground or over ground depends on the situation in the country. Remaining underground can never be an aim in itself. Our fight is for democracy, social transformation, meaningful social justice and dignity for the oppressed people. We are committed to carrying forward this battle in any situation.

Why is it that you don't have any relations with the other underground organisations?

Depends on the agenda. As such there is very little meeting ground between the organisations working openly and those underground. The most important is the agenda. If they take up a democratic and people's agenda in sincerity then it is possible for various organisations to meet and work together.

Do your activities in any way match the ones carried out by the ultra Left wing groups or is it that you have mingled with the other political parties in the race?

Our aim is to redefine the political mainstream of the country. Today the so-called mainstream has almost become a sanctuary for criminals, corrupt elements and hardcore communal forces. Our aim is to reverse this and drive away the anti-socials and bring the people to the forefront.

You are seen to be at loggerheads with the People's War and the Maoist Communist Centre (India).

We are not at loggerheads with them. They do not pose any challenge to us. These organisations have fixed their own priorities. In this election I see [a] certain change in the PW leader, Arvind Kumar, saying that mere participation in the democratic process does not make a party revisionist. The PW only remains opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh. If it remains true to its own declaration it should not oppose the CPI-ML in the coming elections and not campaign against us.

In such circumstances why did you fail to have any agreement with the traditional Left as well. Do you stand isolated?

I would not like to use the term traditional Left for the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the context of Bihar. They are giving up Left traditions. The point is that it is we who are isolated. Today it is the CPI which wanted an alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal. But its overtures were arrogantly spurned by the RJD. The CPI (M) did not open its mouth. It is they who have to explain why they have chosen this course in Bihar. We stand upright and the people are with us.

In what way do you support the secular democratic forces and combat the BJP and its allies?

In as much as our main movement and campaign is directed against the BJP I consider that we are a very crucial bulwark of secular democracy in Bihar and Jharkhand. Now it is for the other secular democratic forces to appreciate the important role that the CPI-ML is doing in containing communal forces.

Why is it that you too have neglected women despite being a cadre-based party?

We would have been happy to have more women candidates. I do consider that a shortcoming. I've no hesitation in admitting that. We have two candidates each in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Others have fielded less than us or none at all.

Wherever you are in the fray you would be harming the cause of the so-called secular forces. Then how is it that you are fighting the so-called communal forces?

I think wherever we are in the fray we are the most committed secular force. No question of our harming secular forces.

What are your stakes in Bihar and the country?

We have fielded 66 candidates in 16 States and two Union Territories. We had only one MP in the dissolved Lok Sabha. We are well placed in most of the constituencies and our struggle should help us increase the number this time.

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