Saffron Vs Red: CPI(M) Turns Focus From Trinamool To BJP

The BJP’s rise to power in West Bengal has altered the political landscape with the principal fight now emerging as “saffron versus red”, the CPI(M) said at its extended state committee session. The party urged cadres to build organisation and movements around livelihood concerns, without entering any “dead end” created by the BJP-RSS. It said the BJP had sought to brand the Left “anti-national” since coming to power, and called for reaching people directly rather than getting trapped in that debate. The party is also seeking to restrain the use of the “Azadi” slogan. The party accused the BJP government of pursuing policies against the poor, dividing people on religious lines, shrinking space for free thought and attacking Bengali culture. District leaders attributed the BJP’s rise to public anger over Trinamool Congress corruption and authoritarianism, but said the BJP was now following an authoritarian path. They called for exposing its “mask”, claiming support was increasing in the State, particularly in minority areas. They also alleged the RSS was keeping the former chief minister politically relevant. State secretary Mohammed Salim said the party must identify successes, failures and gaps of the past decade and formulate strategy accordingly, overcoming obstacles. General secretary M A Baby stressed that the CPI(M) must revive in Bengal. He asserted the political situation in India is at a turning point, and that the countdown to the Modi government’s “downfall” had commenced. He also said that in West Bengal, the Left forces are in the process of regaining influence among the masses.