By Binoy Biswam
The decisive battle is coming closer. In this battle the very idea of India is at stake. The forces, which control political power since 2014, are adamant to prepare the ground in their favour. They have mobilized all their resources to win the battle once again. The ideology of fascism from its very inception has proven its ruthlessness while facing the challenges. From Hitler to Modi, its basic traits are the same aggressive manifestation of racial pride and unconditional subservience to the big capital.
If needed, they would not hesitate to unleash communal violence and mass killings. Religion, faith, and god would be misused for segregating the people. They have targeted the Constitution which is the foundation of India’s unity. The basic structures of the Constitution such as democracy, secularism and socialism are anathema to the basic ideology of RSS controlled BJP. If they would be allowed to regain power, the country will be in peril. All the forces committed to the idea of India have to keep this in mind during every moment in this crucial period. Defense of India with its secular democratic content has become the cardinal point. ‘Defeat the BJP ‘ is the call of the hour.
The plenary session of the Congress in Raipur draws attention in this background. Political observers with secular credentials have commented in different ways about the massive conclave organized by the oldest party in India which was founded in 1885. Congress is passing through challenging times in its history. Its glory and undisputed mass support have become stories of the past. Congress holds political power only in very few states. It even failed to become the main opposition party in many other states. If somebody expected the Raipur plenary to explore deep into the reasons for the Congress debacle, they would be disappointed.
The mood of the Congress party is not to undertake any such serious task on their shoulders. Influenced by the neo-liberal globalization, Congress deviated from the Gandhi- Nehru heritage. As a result of it, the party lost its traditional support base among the marginalized sections and secular minds. The grand old party was reluctant to face even the ideological offensive against Jawaharlal Nehru from the RSS-BJP quarters. No such fundamental issues were discussed in Raipur. The positive element, if one may term it, is the call to fight the BJP. Even though at the eve of the session, the leaders of the Congress wanted this fight to be waged under the leadership of Congress, the political resolution did not uphold such unrealistic positions. The thrust of the resolution was the unity of secular socialist forces. Naturally it gives necessary space for the broad spectrum of secular, democratic, left forces to engage in positive deliberations.
Political parties of different orientations may have their own concepts of electioneering and leadership positions. They may have their own imaginations of power and governance. But the question today is whether the country can defeat the RSS controlled BJP which is the number one enemy. RSS and BJP stand against all the cherished values of India. Their designs for a third victory should be defeated at any cost. Political differences on issues and leadership role in the fight should not be an obstacle on the way of the fight against BJP.
Every small opportunity for the coming together of secular, democratic and left forces needs to be explored because the fight against fascism cannot be thrown at chances. Strategy of the fight is the broadest possible unity. Any tactical mistake, big or small, will cause irreparable damage to the country’s future. The words of M K Stalin, President of the DMK, have to be understood in this spirit.
On the occasion of his 70th birthday, from a function attended by various political leaders, his was a passionate call for building up unity. It is to be construed as the call of a Dravidian leader from the South to the wide spectrum of political forces across the country to come together in the historic battle to defeat the BJP. The CPI, the first political party which underlined the urgency of the broadest possible unity, welcomed any initiative from any part of the country as a positive step forward. The party is clear about the crucial nature of the battle and who the main enemy is. The recently concluded national council of the CPI held in Puducherry, with this perspective upheld the call: ‘BJP Hatao, Desh Bachao!’ From its own independent platform and through united mass actions, the party would strive with all its possibilities to take this message to the people of India who are the masters of our destiny. (IPA Service)
