Alliance was to stop TMC terror, says Yechury

A disastrous result in West Bengal despite an alliance with Congress has taken the sheen off CPM’s big win in Kerala. Speaking to TOI, a visibly upset CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said everything will be up for review by the Central Committee, including the decision to align with Congress.

Your reaction to the results

A very historic victory in Kerala. A setback in West Bengal. It was a formidable battle in Bengal which we had to face. We were able to get our people to rise in resistance but that was evidently not sufficient.

Did you or the party have any inkling of the results in Bengal?

We were getting reports that people were not able to overcome intimidation and violence. Our comrades were trying but still it was not enough.

Wasn’t there something inherently wrong in the alliance with Congress?

The basic issue was to fight the terror of Trinamool. A view emerged from below that there should be an alliance. The point was to make the cadre stand and fight.

The results show Congress gained more out of the alliance than LeftPoll performance and electoral tactic will be reviewed. We will look into all aspects.

Isn’t it true the Central Committee was opposed to an alliance with Congress initially, and the West Bengal state committee gave a fait accompli to the central leadership?

All that will be reviewed by the Central Committee after the state committee sends its report.

You were a big votary of alliance with Congress. Will it lead to some heat in politburo and Central Committee?

All that will be reviewed.

Some party leaders in Bengal have already started saying it was a wrong decision
I cannot comment now. Initial reaction will not serve the purpose. Proper lesson cannot be learnt like this.

Are we looking at ‘Congress-mukt’ Left in the future?

A review will take place and a decision will be taken.

In Kerala, you have won but there could be a problem as to who becomes CM. VS Achuthanandan is old but popular. Will it get resolved amicably?

I am going there. I can assure you there will be no problem.
What is the agenda for the politburo meeting on Sunday?

We will have a preliminary review from states. The bigger task for us will be to prepare the West Bengal party for the future. We expect more violence against us. Already, our party office in Asansol has been attacked and destroyed.