How crucial is this election for the Communist Party of India?
This election is crucial for India; it is a defining moment for Indian politics including our party. At present CPI is a recognised national party and we hope it will remain so after the elections. The Left as a whole will increase its seats from 24 to around 32/34. In Kerala, last time we had only four. This time we hope to get 12 to 14.
Is there space for Left/third alternative politics in India now?
The Congress will not cross 100. The Bharatiya Janata Party will do better than the Congress but cannot go beyond 170. So there will be a lot of political space for the non-Congress, non-BJP parties. After the polls, it will be possible for them to explore the possibility of a new coalition based on an alternative policy.
What is this policy?
Reversing the present economic policy of neo-liberalism which has led to price rise, corruption, economic turndown and replacing it with a more pro-people policy that is inclusive and puts a lid on corruption. New programme must display zero tolerance on corruption. A series of bills to strengthen the Lokpal will need to be passed. New programme must lay emphasis on federalism. There has been a tendency to concentrate political and financial power at the Centre.
The last couple of years have seen at least two States – West Bengal and Tamil Nadu -- weighing in on matters of foreign policy and forcing the government’s hand. Should States have a say in foreign policy?
If there had been better federalism, this would not have happened. If they had been consulted in the decision-making process, then maybe things would have played out differently.
You had a working alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Why did that break? Is it because the Left is perceived to be weak?
AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa was party to the announcement on an electoral understanding. It was not wishful thinking by our party. Later she must have been advised that she can win on her own. It was a wrong move on her part. As to whether the Left is weakening in Tamil Nadu, if that were the case she would not have made the first move.
Was it premature to try and put together a non-Congress, non-BJP alternative ahead of the elections?
I have always maintained that such an alternative can only come up after the elections. Every regional party is trying to maximise their own seats and in that process there is a tendency to over-rate and exaggerate own strength. But this won’t be an obstacle towards coming together post-poll.
Are you satisfied with the seat-sharing arrangement within the LDF in Kerala and the Left Front in West Bengal?
Contrary to public perception, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is not the giver and we are not the takers. It is a sort of adjustment which continues for various historical reasons. It is time to revise it but in this election – which is a very critical one – we chose not to rock the boat.
Will the Left be able to hold its ground in West Bengal? Our prospects are brightening in West Bengal. We will do better than the media prophecies. You cannot run a government on whims and fancies. No development is taking place. There has been no increase in the number of jobs. Law and order situation is extremely serious. Even though the State has a woman Chief Minister, women are unsafe.
