AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to the state seems to have galvanised the beleaguered Congress with his “self-respect” mantra but it has also triggered some excitement in the demoralised CPI(M) camp.
Initially, the CPI(M) satraps were stung by Rahul’s “communism is a failed ideology” barb, but in the wake of the war of words that has broken out between the Congress and the Trinamul Congress over the “spring cuckoo-bird” metaphor, the ruling party feels that his visit will prove advantageous. They now see a clear rift between the two Opposition parties.
Alimuddin Street bosses feel that if Mr Gandhi’s visit strengthens the Congress then it will be a bad news for Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, not for the Marxists.
“The Trinamul Congress has become strong because the Congress has become weak. If Rahul succeeds in rejuvenating his beleaguered state unit, then it will be at Trinamul’s cost,” a CPI(M) state secretariat member said.
The CPI(M) also claims that Mr Gandhi did not give a clean chit to Ms Banerjee over her party’s nexus with the Maoists.
Reacting to Mr Gandhi’s comment on the issue, CPI(M) state secretariat member Mohammed Salim said: “By using the word ‘exaggeration’, Rahul has upheld our views about the Trinamul-Maoist bond. He did not say that Mamata does not have a nexus with the Maoists. So, he has not outright rejected our stand.’’
Rahul’s silence on the question of withdrawal of joint forces in Lalgarh has also kept the CPI(M) leadership in good humour. Significantly, the Trinamul Congress chief had time and again opposed joint operations on the plea that the CPI(M) was using the central forces to recapture lost ground.
Taking Rahul’s diplomatic posturing to Mamata as a prelude to a major rupture in the alliance, the CPI(M) will try to widen the gap between the partners and also boost the sagging morale of the party ranks.
That after lying low for a while, the party is trying to put up a brave front became clear when politburo member Sitaram Yechury in reply to a question about the fate of the Left in the Assembly polls slated to be held in 2011 quoted a Russian proverb: “At times, a hen can fly above an eagle when the latter stoops down to catch its prey, but a hen can never achieve the height of an eagle.”