CPI(M) Will Focus to Counter Right Wing Politics: Prakash Karat

Outgoing CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has said the party will now focus on countering right wing politics and protecting the rights of marginalised sections.

"The party will take up social issues and fight for the rights of Dalits, adivasis, women and minorities," said Mr Karat.

Mr Karat was speaking at the inaugural session of the CPI(M)'s 21st party congress in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The party meet that happens once every three years will decide on its future strategy and its direction.

The party will also elect a new general secretary to replace Mr Karat who will be stepping down after completing three terms, the maximum anyone can continue in any post under the party rules. Sitaram Yechury is being considered the front-runner but another senior politburo member S Ramchandran Pillai is also in contention to take over as the general secretary. 

The final decision, however, would be known only by Sunday when a new central committee - the party's highest decision making body - would elect the new general secretary.

The Visakhapatnam meet will be crucial in terms of working out a plan to resurrect the Left in Indian politics. From a peak of 60 Lok Sabha seats in 2004, Left parties failed to reach double digits in 2014.

At a time when a new player like the Aam Aadmi Party formed government in Delhi, the Left has not been able to move beyond their strongholds of Kerala, Tripura and Bengal. And once strong in campus politics, Left ideology seems to losing appeal among the vast majority of the youth.

Apart from discussing these concerns, the biggest challenge perhaps is to make a political comeback in West Bengal, a state ruled by the Left for 34 years.

"We have paid homage to 99 martyrs who have laid down their lives since our last party congress. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. We shall overcome and prevail with the support of the people," said Mr Karat on CPI(M) gearing up for the big Bengal battle next year.