CPI-M rules out alliance with Congress

Hyderabad, April 21: The 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Friday ruled out an alliance with the Congress party but nevertheless agreed to an "understanding" with it and other "secular opposition parties" inside and outside Parliament.

"As far as the political line is concerned, any political alliance with the Congress is ruled out. Such an alliance with the major party of the Indian ruling classes will weaken our struggle against building the unity of the people for a policy alternative to the ruling classes. It is on the basis of this line that future electoral tactics will be decided," the resolution said.

"As far as the word understanding is concerned, we have defined the scope of that understanding with the Congress party. Within Parliament, we have understanding with secular opposition parties including the Congress on agreed issues. We take forward the Vishakapatnam Party Congress resolution that we need a broad mobilization of all democratic and secular forces against communalism," it added.

The resolution is likely to put to rest the tug-of-war between two camps within the CPI-M regarding an alliance with the Congress party.