NEW DELHI: Kicking off CPM’s 23rd party congress with a message to all secular democratic parties to join forces to fight BJP, party general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Congress and other regional parties must shed their “prevarications and compromising attitudes”, an oblique reference to Congress’ ‘soft Hindutva’ line to take on the ruling party.
Yechury, whose re-election as general secretary for a third term is expected to get the party congress endorsement, also emphasised the importance of the Left parties working together to meet current challenges the working classes face.
“CPM appeals to all Left, secular democratic forces to come together in order to isolate and defeat BJP,” he said, asserting that all political parties that proclaim secularism must rise to the occasion to discharge this “patriotic duty”.
Often accused by sections with the party of being ‘soft’ on Congress, Yechury appeared critical of what many see as Congress’ ‘soft Hindutva’ line and said that the “collective” aim of reining in BJP would only be served when Congress and other regional parties “set their houses in order”.