The distinct message in Narendra Modi’s candidature from Varanasi, according to CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, is that the BJP is subtly polarising the elections on communal lines. He recalls the post-Babri Masjid demolition slogan Kashi-Mathura baaki hai, an attempt of the RSS-BJP-VHP to tactically communalise the electorate.
In an interview to AM Jigeesh, Karat talked about the political situation arising out of Modi’s candidature, the CPI(M)’s stand against the ‘consensus’ on economic policies between the Congress and the BJP, and other issues. Excerpts:
What is striking is that there is an obvious game-plan of the BJP and the RSS to project Narendra Modi without openly taking up the communal agenda.
But let us analyse the decision of the BJP to field Modi from Varanasi. They are putting up Modi in a constituency that witnessed violent communal clashes since 1989. They have consistently won elections from the city subsequently.
After the demolition of Babri Masjid, the BJP-RSS combine had said that they would demolish mosques in Kashi and Mathura. So fielding Modi in Varanasi is a subtle but clear communal message being delivered symbolically.
But parties like the BSP believe the SP is equally communalWe do not agree with that argument. There is an obvious difference between instilling and organising violence and failing to provide shelter and compensation to the victims. We had urged the UP administration to take urgent care of the needs of the Muzaffarnagar riot victims.
The Left seems to be getting weaker with each election. Mayawati claims she is the new ‘balance of power’…
The CPI(M) will contest nearly 100 seats. Our basic commitment is towards providing this country with alternative policies and politics. The Left is the only force which can provide alternative policies. Our fight is not for balance of power or trying to form some sort of post-electoral combination. We will work for the change through alternative policies. If the Left is strengthened in the Lok Sabha, it will provide a fresh basis for us to carry this fight forward.
We are not going to join any alliance or government just because we want to be a ruling force in a post-election scenario. We will only be able to do that if there are any alternative policies that can be put in place.
What do you think is the basic difference in the programme and policies of the Congress and the BJP?
So far as the economic policies are concerned, there is hardly any difference between the Congress and the BJP. On emphasis and articulation, there could be some variation, but the basic approach and orientation is the same. It is a contest between two parties that represent the same class interest and economic views. The Left stands against this consensus on economic policies between the Congress and the BJP. Naturally, our views will not be very popular and acceptable to the economic powers in the country (laughs).
For example, on the pricing of natural gas, we do not think that the BJP would have taken a different line than that of the Congress. On the issue of coal block allocation too, they would have helped the private players.
AAP had recently made the gas pricing row a national issue. You have been raising this issue for long, but could not gather the attention of people. What makes the AAP different?
When we talk about gas pricing, the media does not give much prominence as they dismiss our stand as Leftist rhetoric or demagoguery. When the AAP raised the same issue with the papers and input we provided, it gathered national attention. We had even objected to the increase in the gas prices at the present figure.
What we will have to note is the outcome of AAP’s protest against the gas pricing formula. Such anti-people decisions cannot be reversed unless there is a change in the policies of the Government at the Centre.
The Left seems to be isolated in this election as you do not have any alliance with any other regional parties. Did your experiment to build a non-BJP, non-Congress platform fail?
Our intention is to present an alternative to the Congress and the BJP. This platform is not dependant on any pre-poll alliance. Bulk of our seats will come from Tripura, Kerala and West Bengal. In Tripura, we will win hands down. Unlike in 2009, we will be able to put up a better performance in Kerala. In West Bengal we will improve our position if the election happens peacefully.