The Rediff Special/E M S Namboodiripad

The Congress approach is to gain power by hook or crook. They are ready to align with anybody to come to power.

Every week, E M S Namboodiripad delivers a homily on the popular television channel Asianet. The Marxist patriarch, who became the world's first democratically elected Communist head of government in 1959, is a shrewd observer of the Indian polity and we are happy to bring you his observations.

This week I will deal with the present political situation in the country in the wake of the Congress Working Committee resolution to extend only issue-based support to the Deve Gowda government and the CPI-M central committee decision to oppose the government's economic policies. The media has described the two resolutions as threats to the Deve Gowda government. There are some basic differences between the two resolutions.

Barring a brief span, the Congress ruled the Centre and most states for the last 50 years. The party, which has been thrown out of power, has now lost its foundation in many states. In some states where it is in power today even this foundation is on the verge of collapse.

The Congress approach is to gain power by hook or crook. They are ready to align with anybody to come to power. The party's alliance with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh are examples of this. The CWC decision to review the unconditional support to the Deve Gowda government is part of this strategy. The latest decision is part of a bargaining tactic.

The CPI-M, on the other hand, has from the very beginning opposed the Deve Gowda government's economic policies. The party feels the Deve Gowda government is merely following the Rao government's economic policies. We had opposed the Rao government's policies and we will continue to do so.

However, we have our reasons to support the Deve Gowda government. We are glad the government has accepted our demand for decentralisation of power. They have agreed to transfer power, technical know-how and personnel to the states and from the states to the local bodies.

Another reason why we support the United Front government is its foreign policy. The government has considerably improved the country's relations with Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The government is also striving to improve relations with China and Russia.

We consider the government's survival in the best interests of the nation. The foreign policy followed by this government is better than that of the Rao government. We do not think our approach -- supporting the government on one hand and opposing its incorrect policies on the other -- will lead to any conflict.

Our main concern is how to solve the basic problems of the people. The CPI-M is a revolutionary democratic movement which stands for the upliftment of the working class along with agricultural and industrial development. We consider our support to the UF government the first step towards the unity of secular and democratic forces in the country. We are committed to India's economic, social and political development.

The Congress's main concern is power. They are prepared to adopt any means to gain power. Although the Congress is ready to go to any extent to topple the government, I do not think it has the strength to do so. As long as the party remains divided -- the attempt by each group to gain supremacy over the other; the running battle between Rao and Kesri -- it is not possible.

Had the party stood united, the Deve Gowda government could easily have been brought down, but as long as the leaders fight among themselves it is not possible. The Congress at present does not have the strength to topple the government, so there is no meaning in the interpretation that the latest CWC resolution paves the way for the exit of the Deve Gowda government. The Congress is too weak to topple the government.

Under the circumstances it is the responsibility of the CPI-M and other Left parties to keep the government in the saddle. In case the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party try to bring down the government, the CPI-M and the Left parties are confident that they will defeat it. The Congress is not in a position to resist such a move. This is the sum total of the present political situation in the country.

Kind courtesy: Asianet

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