CPI(M) is the new political alternative: Sitaram Yechury

CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury, often referred to as a firebrand Communist comrade, speaks to Zee News’ Swati Chaturvedi on Kahiye Janab.

In an age where politicians are often known for their glib talk, CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury is one of the prominent faces of Indian politics whose sole aim is to serve the people of India. Yechury is often known as a firebrand Communist comrade and a towering figure in the Indian politics. In an exclusive chat with Zee News’ Swati Chaturvedi on Kahiye Janab, Yechury voices his concern over the national and international challenges before India, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Swati: You (Left parties) withdrew support from the UPA government over the Indo-US nuclear deal. However, post 26/11 attacks America has been vocal in its support to India. Nevertheless, it seems like you are once again eyeing a legitimate or illegitimate alliance with the Congress?

Yechury: Well, according to us, the nation should look forward to a new alternative in the form of a Third Front. With world facing acute economic downturn amid the rise of Taliban-like Hindutva communal forces, in order to salvage our national identity it is essential to choose the Third Front that brings in independent foreign policy. To ensure an independent foreign policy, one requires a political front and CPI(M) stands for that indispensable political alternative. Swati: It is believed that Jayalalithaa - one of your strong alliance members in the Third Front - wishes to join Congress. What’s your take on this? Yechury: According to the talks between us, Jayalalithaa is not interested in joining Congress. Our association in Tamil Nadu with Jayalalithaa is in accordance with party line. It is evident that alliances are forged only after elections; for instance in 2004, Congress came up with the UPA. Swati: During the Left’s alliance with the Congress, it seems your credibility has been jeopardized. Are you still ready to join forces with them? Yechury: Look, we want to establish a Third Front sans Congress and the BJP. Swati: It seems that you are fighting against communal forces rather than corruption? Yechury: Fighting against communal forces rather than corruption, which is a lesser evil. We are fighting both, nonetheless. The Third Front is the best alternative to do away with both these evils. Swati: There’s a general view that the parties with which CPI(M) is forging a political alliance are grappling with serious corruption charges. While doing this, isn’t the CPI(M) compromising with its stand on corruption? Yechury: No, CPI(M) doesn’t compromise with its stand on corruption while looking for alliances. Whenever Supreme Court levied charges of corruption against any political party with which CPI(M) had alliances, we immediately snapped all ties. For instance, look at the case of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Swati: Suppose after the elections, your party general secretary supports Congress; won’t it be a tough call for you? Yechury: (smiling) Look, we are political soldiers. You are asking us what we will do in case we lose. We are still in the fray and are trying our best to win. Let’s hope for good results. Swati: Talking about corruption, the CPI(M) unit in Kerala and West Bengal have been battling with CBI cases and corruption charges. What do you have to say on this? Yechury: In today’s political scenario, the CBI is often used to draw political mileage. Even our law says that you cannot punish until proven guilty. Swati: So you are putting up a defence. In Parliament, you raise your voice against corruption and here you are defending it. In the Taslimuddin case, you said that defence against corruption is wrong. Yechury: Look, this case has a history. After the Vigilance Department gave its report, CBI went to court and called it a weak case. All this happened during the Congress regime. Once again in the upcoming elections, Congress decided to give Taslimuddin a ticket. Swati: It is generally believed that the CPI(M) is free of corruption. However, of late, your image has received setbacks. What do you have to say? Yechury: Look, we are the product of this society; if there are any follies, we will work them out. Swati: Whatever happened in the case of former CPI(M) stalwart Somnath Chatterjee, he still says that he wants to die as a Communist. Somnath Chatterjee was the Speaker; at least you could have given him a graceful exit. For him, Constitution was of supreme importance. Is that a problem with the CPI(M)? Yechury: It is indeed unfortunate to lose him. However, whatever action was taken was according to the party policy. Ideally, when we took back our support from the UPA, the Speaker should have resigned too. Swati: You have been against the economic policies of the Congress but never offered any alternative. Yechury: In the four and a half years of the UPA government, Rozgar Yojana and tribal rehabilitation schemes have passed due to our pressure. Swati: Are you satisfied with the economic reforms in India? Yechury: Look, India did not face economic downturn as severely as the rest of the world. The UPA came up with four proposals: Capital convertibility, foreign banks buying Indian banks, privatization of pension fund, and encouragement of foreign investment in the insurance sector. In case all these plans would have been executed, Indian economy would have been in a sorry state. Swati: Are you happy the way the US helped India post 26/11? Yechury: Not only the US, the whole world has shown concern and supported us. However, we wanted to go to the UN rather than the US. In the wake of the political change in the US, things will take time. For instance, the Army is being removed from Iraq and sent to Afghanistan. Swati: What are the main issues for which the CPI(M) stands for? Yechury: Our major take is upholding equal rights during the rise of communal forces, job creation in the time of recession, and new economic policies as a result of government investment. Swati: Final question, will the CPI(M) support Congress post Lok Sabha elections? Yechury: No, we won’t. We will try and build the Third Front. Adapted by: Aman Kanth