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CPI(M) discounts RSS-BJP charge

Special Correspondent

CPI seeks formulation of national initiative to curb political violence

Prime Minister should convene meeting of all political parties: CPI
“Parliament should pass resolution against cult of political violence”

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday said that with its “big mass base and support from all sections of the people” in Kerala, it does not have to “demean itself by resorting to violence against an ineffective political force” as is being made out by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-Bharatiya Janata Party (RSS-BJP) in the wake of the latest bout of killings in Kannur district.

Reacting to the allegation from the RSS-BJP stables that the CPI(M) was using violence to throttle all opposition in Kerala, the Left party in a statement described the RSS and the BJP in the State as a “degenerated, vicious anti-Communist force.” The BJP, the statement pointed out, has been exposed by its own leaders as an outfit which sells its vote to the highest bidder during elections.

Targeting minorities

According to the statement, the RSS in Kerala has in its ranks lumpen anti-socials on hire to kill CPI(M) workers and target minorities. “It is the RSS and its political front which plays the dangerous game of physical annihilation of the CPI(M) as it stands in the way of its rabid communal ideology and politics.”

About the recent bout of violence in Kannur, the CPI(M) said it was unleashed by the targeted killings of party workers.

“The murderous politics of the RSS in Kerala is not of recent origin. The RSS began its murder campaign originally as the tool of the capitalists and owners who wanted to smash the unions and the working class movement in Kannur. Subsequently, the RSS has spread its murder politics throughout the State.”

Reacting to the political killings in Kerala and attacks on CPI(M) offices elsewhere, the CPI sought formulation of a national initiative to curb growing political violence in the country. Addressing a press conference here, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta recommended a code for parties to curb political violence that could even be made obligatory by the Election Commission.

Refraining from naming the CPI(M), Mr. Dasgupta strongly criticised the BJP for “attacking” the Left party’s office in the capital. Mr. Dasgupta said Parliament should pass a resolution against the cult of political violence in the country as it would destroy the fabric of secularism and democracy. Before this, the Prime Minister should convene a meeting of all political parties and formulate a political code, and if necessary, refer it to the Election Commission to make it obligatory on all political parties.

Challenge to democracy

Describing the attack on the CPI(M) office, as a challenge to democracy, Mr. Dasgupta said the differences between the two parties in Kerala could have been resolved there by the administration. There was no reason to bring it to Delhi. He also criticised the Kerala High Court observation on political violence saying the court went beyond the constitutional mandate and described it as yet another example of “judicial over-activism.”

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