17 February 2007 — The decline and fall of the Soviet Empire destroyed the sense of ideological security surrounding the various Marxist political parties all around the world. The hollowness of the so-called Soviet Socialist system and its anti-democratic characteristics were laid threadbare to the gleeful eyes of anti Marxists and to the confused advocates of Soviet and Chinese patterns. One after the other, the erstwhile communist nations embraced Western style democracy and a market economy. The reshuffled world reluctantly conceded an upper hand in international affairs to the US and their allies to the discomfort of developing countries especially from the Afro-Asian block. Globalization only added to their woes. “There is no alternative” became the new mantra for the proponents of Western-style market economy.
Political parties wedded to Marxist ideology are aware about the new economic circumstances and the need to engage the prevailing world order to find new ways to protect the interests of the economically weaker sections and the under privileged. It is interesting to note here that India’s institutional communist parties are also currently facing threat from Maoist communist parties that are legally banned but function actively undercover with well-organized organizational set up and with the muscle power of clandestine militias. Both CPM & CPI are seriously concerned about the rising popularity and charisma of Maoists. Pinaray-VS duel should be critically examined and ruthlessly evaluated under these new challenges faced by Indian communist parties.
CPM party program still maintains that the aim of the party is to pave way for a revolution to grab power at the most appropriate time to bring about a proletarian government at Delhi. A dogma framed with outdated coinages like democratic centralism, dictatorship of the proletariat, unity of the working class, revolutionary party agenda, clandestine action etc. are still retained as the sacred ideology determining party agenda and program. Theoretically, communist parties still possess an agenda to subvert the constitution, liquidate electoral politics and grab power. This paradox of living ideologically in an antique world of Marxist orthodoxy and functioning within the framework of a postmodern third world democracy is nothing less than a quixotic existence.
In the prevailing Indian context proletarian revolution could exist only in a Salvador Dali type surrealistic dream. Even six decades after independence Left politics is an unfamiliar commodity to the vast majority of Indians and the communist parties managed to have recognizable political presence only in Kerala and Bengal. It is true that the left parties aligned with other right-wing parties have managed to gain a notable presence in central parliament. It is interesting to note here that left has a long history of alliances which includes strange bedfellows from left of the center Congress to far right BJP. Convenience rather than ideological preferences were the deciding factor. There are no political parties in India, which has not entered into tactical or open electoral adjustment with either one of the communist parties in one way or other.
It is already late for the communists to abandon their revolutionary agenda or amend it to declare themselves as social democratic parties with a pro-people agenda and willingness to accept and work within India’s constitutional framework. Thus the party will be equipped and conditioned to work effectively in a democracy with a legitimate plan and program.
It also should come out from its shell of conventional working class party and expand its political base to include the causes of gender equality, environmentalists, aged and children, all kinds of minorities, NGOs and fringe groups etc. It is unfortunate that Indian communists continue to be equal or worse than the most conservative among the religious fanatics when it comes to issues related to morality, marriage, sex etc. Their mindset needs to open to new realities. While defining the term working class communists should accept the fact that the traditional working class consisting industrial and farm workers is no longer relevant. Booming service industry employees such as sales people, hotel workers, media people, tour guides, hospital staff, IT professionals, teachers, drivers etc., have already outgrown them. Their needs, aspirations, working environment etc., were never taken into account when conventional Marxism was formatted. Hence it is time to replace the traditional working class with the emerging new class of workers with corresponding changes to party literature and action.
Many political thinkers have pointed out that communist parties’ failure to spread their influence decisively lies in their failure to understand and accept caste-based discrimination in India as the worst kind of economic exploitation and to incorporate the eradication of the same to party program. In other words communist parties were absent from the main arena where the struggle for equality by the majority of the Indian multitude was fought. Class struggle and caste struggle need to be integrated in order to bring the left parties face to face with contemporary Indian reality.
Globalization is here to stay. So are the dubious war of neocapitalism to influence and control markets around the world to gain profit. World Bank, ADB, WTO, UNO etc., are not essentially pro-neo-capitalist but at the same time vulnerable tools in their hands. It is for the left and left of the center political parties to be cautious while dealing with them. Indian communist parties especially CPM have a major role to play to reduce the negative impact of globalization and to keep the long-term interests of Indian economy in the best interests of the poor and the under-privileged. Unfortunately CPM has not taken this seriously.
Current feuds and deliberations within the party have absolutely nothing to do with the historical responsibility of the Indian Left. Though ideological color is given to Pinaray-VS feud by vested interests and misguided party elements it is nothing short of a clash of egos and political Machiavellianism. Two groups are fighting to gain control of the party apparatus in the interests of power and favoritism.
As party stalwarts both have made substantial contributions to build and actively maintain party in the state but unfortunately are now on course to become liabilities. Their ongoing tussles are mere mockery of left politics in comparison to the historically critical challenges facing CPM today. It is certainly a negation of Marxist ideology.
P.J.J. Antony, Arab News
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