Shillong, August 14: The leadership of the CPI(M) encountered difficulties when attempting to elucidate the concept of the opposition Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to grassroots members during district-level party workshops.
According to reliable sources, the recent clarification by the CPI(M) central committee, explicitly stating that West Bengal would not align with the party’s nationwide stance on the INDIA coalition, left a significant portion of grassroots workers and members dissatisfied.
A recurring query emerging from the district-level workshops, which began on Sunday, revolves around whether the CPI(M)-led Left Front would provide external support to a potential INDIA alliance government following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, wherein the Trinamool Congress is also expected to hold a cabinet position.
“To be candid, our state leadership lacks a definite answer to this query, as we ourselves are not entirely clear on the matter,” remarked a member of the CPI(M) state committee.
As per IANS, another crucial issue raised during the workshops pertained to the wall-graffiti campaign in support of Left Front candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The question at hand is whether the graffiti should read “Vote for Left Front-supported CPI(M) candidate” or “Vote for INDIA-supported CPI(M) candidate.”
“If both Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) candidates start incorporating ‘INDIA-supported’ before their names in the wall-graffiti, it could potentially confuse the general public and particularly dedicated left voters. This is yet another query to which the party leadership lacks a response,” noted the state committee leader.
Meanwhile, alongside these concerns, grievances were also voiced during the workshops regarding CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury sharing the stage and appearing in the same frame with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during INDIA alliance meetings in Patna and Bengaluru.
According to insiders, certain grassroots members have also expressed discontent over Yechury’s perceived lack of vocal response to the recent incidents of violence during the panchayat elections.