‘Mainstream Left parties seem to be no more attached to Communist ideology’
Alleging that all mainstream Left parties as well as several CPI (ML) organisations have deviated from the path of Communism, the CPI (ML) Red Star has decided to contest in five Lok Sabha seats and several Assembly seats in Odisha.
This was stated by its central general secretary K.N. Ramchandran during his visit to the city to release the Odia version of the party manifesto on Sunday.
He said that the Democratic People’s Forum, which was an alliance of 10 organisations, including the CPI (ML) Red Star, would field candidates in 70 Lok Sabha constituencies in 18 States. The DPF would also field candidates against prominent mainstream political leaders such as Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Mr. Ramchandran said that Berhampur and Aska in Ganjam district were among the five parliamentary seats it would contest in Odisha.
According to Sivaram, the party’s Odisha State secretary, Sibaram Sahu would be the candidate for the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat and Sankar Sahu would contest from Aska.
“The way the CPI and the CPI (M) are approaching political parties such as the BJD to get some seats to contest hints that they are no more attached to the Communist ideology,” Mr. Ramchandran said.
Stating that theirs was the first political party to bring out the manifesto for the general elections, he said the political scenario in the country was dominated by vote-politics due to which basic issues concerning the common man were being sidelined.
The CPI (ML) Red Star leader said that they would have no alliance with any other party, including CPI (ML) outfits, in the State.
“We have, however, started the process of garnering support of organisations involved in democratic movements in different parts of Odisha,” said Mr. Sivaram.