Amid the tug of war between the two groups, the 22nd Congress of CPI (Marxist) continued the debate on various amendments to the draft political resolution for the third day on Friday and was expected to conclude the deliberations and finalise its political line and strategy by Saturday.
Prakash Karat, who had moved the draft resolution in the party conferene two days ago told the media that the party constitution does not allow secret ballot and there will be only open voting on the amendments. “There will be an open and transparent discussion on any view. There is nothing secret about it”, he said dismissing the speculation about the differences in the party as a myth.
While Prakash Karat and his supporters, notably from Kerala and Tripura were advocating an independent stand of the party in the coming elections, the party general secretary Sitaram Yechuri supported by the West Bengal unit was in favor of party having an understanding with the Congress party to defeat the BJP.
“Any member can demand voting but once vote is done and a decision is reached everybody will abide by it”, Karat said. “There is no question of majority and minority view”. He hoped that the political draft will be finalized by tonight. He said that the party Congress was bigger than the Central Committee and here the final decision will be taken.
The party Congress today passed resolutions on Terms of Reference of the 15th Finance Commission and in support of the Mazdoor Kisan Sangharsh Rally of September 5 this year.
The party expressed its deep concern about the anti federal and anti democratic underpinnings of the Terms of Reference of the 15ht Finance Commission and demanded the review of the same. “They are intended to reduce the share of the States in overall tax devaluation, squeeze the fiscal space available to the states, impose unacceptable conditionality and privilege centrally sponsored programs over State programs”, the resolution said.
Proposed change in the population base year, the TOR threaten also to seriously impair the finances of the state governments that have performed well with respect to the population control.
In another resolution passed by the CPIM party Congress, the party noted the growing discontent among the working class and other sections of the toiling people including the peasants and agriculture worker against the policies of the BJP led government at the center. It welcomed the decision of the working class, peasants and agriculture workers to organize a rally on September 5 and asked its members and cadres to support it in all possible ways.