CPI's Brigade rally to mount pressure on CPM

KOLKATA: The CPI is leaving no stone unturned to make its first-ever rally in 13 years at the Brigade Parade Ground a grand success.
For, this will help the CPI mount pressure on the CPM to concede more ministerial berths and seats in the Assembly and panchayat polls in future, insiders told TNN on Friday.
Still considered an insignificant force, in West Bengal politics and in the Left as well by the CPM, its humiliation is rapidly turning into anger, conceded CPI leaders.
"We have been trashed by the CPM long enough. But the Brigade rally will be a decisive show of strength. Then, we will demand our pound of flesh," asserted a CPI state secretariat member.
A successful Brigade rally by the CPI is sure to have a major impact within the Left Front, admitted all the Front constituents, aware that the party has strong ambition up its sleeve.
The CPI''s three-month-long campaign for the rally was bitterly critical of the CPM''s high-handed attitude, blaming the big brother for adopting anti-people policies in the state and for being soft towards the BJP-led Centre.
Of late, the party is busy nurturing its relationship with the RSP, another major Front partner, who, too, has been critical of the CPM. The turnout at the rally would be around 300,000, claimed CPI state secretary Manju Kumar Majumdar.
"Even a month ago, we were not so confident. Now we are. The turnout will prove that the CPI does not depend on anyone for survival. Naturally, we expect more respect and importance within the Front," he stressed.
"Yes, we have spoken about the Front''s mistakes and will do so again at the rally. But then the chief minister himself has admitted to those on several occasions," said Majumdar.
Parrying questions on whether the CPI would demand more seats and Cabinet berths from the CPM provided the rally was a success, top CPI leaders confirmed that this was "playing in the minds of all the party members".
The CPI has called an extended state executive committee meeting on January 31 to discuss its next course of action. All the party district secretaries have been asked to be present. This will be followed by a two-day state council meeting from January 18.