The CPM is in an ideological quandary on how to deal with the Congress in the next Assembly elections in Bengal, according to some media analysts.
Some had predicted that during the Kolkotta plenum, the party would promote the idea of collaborating with the Congress during elections and adopt that as a strategy.
However, contrary to expectations, the plenum did not discuss the issue and instead focussed on the party's organisational set up and changes and revamps that were required. That brings up the question as to why such discussions are becoming more frequent now. Further, how practical is an alliance between the CPM and the Congress in Bengal? Part of the first question's answer may be found in the answer to the second.
If local Congress leaders suddenly became intolerant to the alliance with the Trinamool Congress, it was because of personal compulsions and opportunism than anything else. Most of the leaders in the Bengal unit of the Congress believe that it is better to make peace with their former foe rather than continue as insignificant entities in the alliance with the Trinamool.
The same sentiment is also shared by some CPM leaders and think tanks in the party. The CPM, which squandered its popularity during the decades it ruled over Bengal, has not been able to regain even a shade of its past glory. It is in no position to regain the confidence of the people, leave alone being a match for Mamta.
Mamata, who is autocratic and intolerant to opposing voices, has exposed her affinity to right wing cultural and economic reforms. Trinamool stands virtually unopposed as the CPM is so organisationally weak that it cannot even successfully hold a demonstration that can at least make Mamata and her party uneasy. Many of its offices and the offices of its sister units are now under the control of Trinamool office bearers.
That the BJP has not been able to become a viable alternative to the two, even though Bengalis are not happy with Mamata, is because of the inherent progressive values of the state. Therefore, under these circumstances, it is not surprising that the CPM is considering an alliance with the Congress, to create a secular, anti-fascist alternative.
However, an alliance with the Congress seems distant, not only because of the opposition from the Kerala unit as publicised, but because of lack of agreement on organisational set up and policies. If the CPM decides to form an alliance with the Congress, it would have to put aside its strong misgivings about the secular credentials of the Congress party as well as the latter's affinity to right wing, liberalised economic reforms. This is radically opposite to the core ideas of the CPM and therefore makes such an alliance virtually impossible.
As much as the Kerala unit of the CPM would oppose an alliance with the Congress, the grassroots-level workers of the Congress would also oppose an alliance with the CPM, as hinted by senior Congress leaders. Therefore, if such an alliance comes into existence, in spite of chances being heavily loaded against it, it would adversely affect the Kerala units of the CPM and Congress to the same extent.
(The author is a film director and political analyst.)
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