No scope for snap polls: Prakash Karat

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CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has said he does not foresee a midterm poll in the country despite the poor performance of the Congress in the recent assembly elections in various states, and in the context of the views expressed by the BJP in this respect.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj had said her party was gearing up for the polls. However, the CPI(M) feels that, if an election was held now, the timing could be favourable for the forces led by the BJP.

Q: Did the delegates criticise your decision to withdraw support from UPA 1

A: The party had categorically backed the decision and even felt that the support should have been withdrawn before the government went to the IAEA.

Q: Why is the tenure of the party general secretary being limited to three terms

A: The amendment was proposed by the central committee to limit the tenure of general secretary and secretaries at other levels to a maximum of three terms. This is not a sudden decision. This will ensure continuity and change in leadership.

Q: Your party is ridden with factionalism. How are you planning to tackle it

A: In this state, Kerala, we had faced problems of factionalism. But, in this party Congress, we have not identified this as a serious issue. We have taken steps to curb factionalism and succeeded in curbing it largely.

Q: In Kerala, you were so close to victory in the last assembly polls. What were the reasons for such a close defeat

A: We analysed the defeat in detail. We could have paid more attention in some constituencies. We lost three seats by 1100 – 1200 votes or so. We could have managed to perform well.

Q: CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan has suggested an institutional mechanism to improve coordination between left parties.

A: He has a proposal. We will discuss and consider any such proposal to strengthen Left parties’ coordination.

Q: The political and organisational report has pointed at wrongdoings of comrades, their involvement in sexual harassment cases, and the tendency of alcoholism among them?

A: Such issues come up because disciplinary action is taken against such leaders at different levels. But that does not mean that our party is full of alcoholics.