NEW DELHI: The communist party of India (Marxist) on Monday indicated that it was likely to abstain during the confidence motion in the government when it was placed in parliament but said it had yet to discuss the question with its allies—left parties and the five-party national front.

CPI (M) bureau member Harkishan Singh Surjeet told a press conference here that there’s no question of voting for the confidence motion but stressed that the CPI(M) was not in favour of frewsh elections in the near future

Briefing the press about the party’s two-day central committee meeting which concluded here on June 22 Surjeet said the central committee had adopted an eight-point resolution on postelection tactics.

The resolution states that the CPI(M) will sit in the opposition and continue to maintain relations with other left parties and the national front he said.

Surjeet said the central committee had decided that although the country could ill-afford another election this would depend upon the policies of the Congress(I).

Stressing that it was now incumbent upon the Congress(I) to state its positions on various issues facing the country and how it planned to solve these questions Surjeet said the CPI(M) felt that the threats to national unity; arising from divisive forces should be tackled on a priority basis.

Referring to the economic crisis Surjeet said the CPI(M) was opposed to the conditionalities that would be imposed by the international monetary fund (IMF) if India accepted a loan.

We do not want the IMF to decide our budget or dictate our economic policies he said adding that there were alternatives to the loan.

He said it was up to the Congress (I) govt to take the initiative to start discussions with other parties about alternatives.

Surjeet said that the top 20 business houses in India had increased their wealth by 300% in the last few years. Why cannot this be he queried.

He said the CPI(M) central committee would review the situation and adopt necessary tactics while making a positive contribution in meeting the grave challenges facing the country.

The Congress (I) cannot take us for granted he declared but added that no fresh elections are advisable.

He said that the central committee had also decided to mobilise the people to oppose any policies that throw the burden of the crisis on the common man and to struggle for the betterment of the conditions of the toiling masses.

He also called upon the govt to come forth with a legislation on protecting the status quo on places of religious worship as on August 15,1947.

He said that this was necessary to reassure the minorities who were insecure following the victory of the pro-Hindu BJP in Uttar Pradesh and the improved parliamentary strength of the BJP-Shiv Sena combine.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 28, 1991