By Kuldip Nayar

THE leaders of the Communists in India have always “played games, even with their ardent followers. What they decide at a particular time and why, are never known to ordinary sympathizers, and every time the line is changed, there does no know what impelled them to do so.

Till today it is anybody’s guess why the Communists refused to back Giani Zail Singh for a second term of President Ship. He was assured of support by no less a person than Jyoti Basu, the West Bengal Chief Minister, on whose shoulders the security of the CP (M) edifice mainly rests. EMS. Namboodiripad pulled the rug from under the feet of Zail Singh and Jyoti Basu both, making the presidential election, the outcome ‘of which was once thought doubtful by the Congress (1), a tame affair,

Again the Opposition parties were all set to forge a joint platform against Rajiv Gandhi’s government and launch an agitation against corruption in high places, The Fairfax scandal, the Bofors gun deal and the West German submarine purchase threw up the question of commissions and kickbacks, which the government did not deny and which compromised the position of the Prime Minister.

The Communists’ strategy was to divert attention from the issue: they emphasized that communalism was what mattered the most; they are the ones who asked V.P. Singh and other political elements to choose between the BJP and them. When the question before the nation was of corruption in high places, the twist they gave posed it as one of secularism versus communalism. Rajiv Gandhi got the reprieve he was unsure of till then and that was probably the Communists? Purpose, now they have changed their line and they do not find anything wrong in cooperating with the BJP. On the eve of the current Parliament session, they joined all Opposition parties in planning a Joint strategy. The BJP thought that the Communists would object to their association, however, the reverse happened: the Communists went out of their way to line up with the rest of the Opposition,

Again there was a point of discord. Now it was Sri Lanka, ‘The Communists considered Rajiy Gandhi’s accord with President Jayewardene the best thing that could have happened. The other parties did not want to get involved in the discussion on the accord, their criticism was that Indian soldiers had been unnecessarily involved and had suffered casualties,

First the Communists were reluctant to join the Opposition lest criticism on that point should in any way be construed as criticism of the accord. The others stood firm. Then the Communists changed their stand and came round to support the rest of the Opposition Even if one were not to attribute any diabolical plan to the Communists, one could not help suspecting their bona fides. At a critical time, when Rajiy Gandhi was in a real tight spot, the Communists came into action and did something which diverted attention from him,

SOVIET CARD

One reason could be that the Soviet Union which still motivates the Communists’ action, does not want Rajiv Gandhi’s ouster at present. That Moscow was ready to support Rajiv Gandhi through thick and thin was evident from the various comments made by the Soviet publications, True, it does not follow that Communists will automatically support Rajiv Gandhi but it has been seen in the past that the Communists have been on the side of the Soviet Union even at the cost of having to change their line abruptly.

During the emergency, it was the CPI which supported Mrs. Gandhi because Moscow was of the same viewpoint. The CP (M) vas then opposed to her. But that ‘was the time when the CP (M) was pro-China and China was then an inveterate opponent of India. Then it was clear that the two Communist parties were diametrically ‘opposed to each other, one following the Soviet line and the other the Chinese line, and, therefore, their views on India could not converge,

Lately, both Communist parties have come together. And even the Soviet Union and China are spanning the distance between them. The Communists, therefore, may have adopted a line in India because of wider consideration. China may be critical of certain Indian policies but it is not opposed to Rajiv Gandhi.

LONGRANGE VIEW

The other reason is that the Communists are taking a more long-range view, wanting a finger in the pie, that is, planning for a time when they could get a share of power, at the Centre, Their

Thinking may be that until then they should allow Rajiv Gandhi to continue. Apparently, there are differences within the CP (M). B. M.S. Namboodiripad, Secretary-general, supports Rajiv Gandhi while Jyoti Basu is not of the same view. Still EMS, seems to have the last word.

It appears that the Communists have already influenced V.P. Singh, who refused to go to even a Lok Dal-sponsored meeting at Patna because the BJP was present. Devi Lal understandably is angry and he had reportedly “frank talks” with V.P. Singh before leaving for Patna. At that meeting Arun Nehru was also present. Devi lal reportedly told VP. Singh that he could understand his objection to the BJP platform but if he were to treat other parties as touch-me-nots, how could a credible Opposition emerge.

Now it looks that the Communists’ efforts may succeed only to the extent of dividing the Opposition, not keeping the BJP apart that will help the Congress (1). The BJP is also foolish because it has already told its units throughout the country to stay away from V.P. Singh.

What the Communist don’t seem to realize is that they do not have any support in the Hindi speaking States, And that the BIP, even though disliked by the liberals has the sympathy of a wide section, In other words, for any alternative to emerge, the BJP cannot be alienated because in the Hindi belt it would cut into the vote of the Opposition. As in Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal and Tripura, where the Communists have a strong hold and where they will not allow the Opposition candidates to succeed on their own, in the Hindi belt the BJP will not allow itself to be ignored.

CENTRIST POLICY

Perhaps the best way is for the Opposition parties to follow a Centrist policy, neither Left nor Right, to come together. This Centrist combination can take the help of the BUP in the Hindi speaking States and of the Communists in the Eastern States. If they continue to snipe at each other as the Communists and the BIP are doing, it will only pave the way for Rajiv Gandhi to return to power.

Courtesy: The Tribune, Chandigarh

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 4, 1987