CPI(M) leader sparks debate on Communist "reunification"

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reviving the now-on and now-off debate on " reunification" of the Communist parties, senior CPI(M) leader M A Baby today said there was nothing wrong if the two parties explored the possibilities in that direction in a realistic manner.

As Baby's comments sparked an instant debate in local media, the response of CPI(M) leaders had been unenthusiastic to the idea, while some CPI functionaries welcomed it.

Speaking at a seminar organised in Thrissur in honour of CPI stalwart and former Chief Minister late C Achutha Menon, Baby said there was nothing wrong if the two parties discussed the issue as there were many people who wished for the "reunification" of the Indian communist party, which split half-a-century back.

Baby, a member of the CPI(M) Politburo, however, admitted that there would be several practical difficulties in moving towards that goal "reunification."

"There are people interested in debating this idea. But this is not an issue which will yield an easy solution," he said.

Reacting to Baby's views, CPI(M) state committee member Anthalavattom Anandan said this was not an issue on the agenda of his party. He said for quite some, his party had been actively pursuing the policy of the unity of Left forces.

In the wake of drubbing received by the Left as a whole in the Lok Sabha polls even in its strongholds, CPI had revived the debate on the issue through a front page editorial of the party organ in Malayalam.

The CPI state and central leadership had, however, distanced themselves from the editorial, holding that it was not the party's official view.

Significantly, the then editor of the party daily Janayugom, who penned the editorial on the issue, was present at the seminar where Baby aired his views.

Interestingly, Baby was the first CPI(M) leader who picked holes in the CPI daily's editorial, holding that many of the key factors that led to the 1964 split were still relevant and that this was not an issue to be approached emotionally.