Thiruvananthapuram: Although the CPM party argued that it could think of a collaboration rather than an alliance with the Congress, CPM’s Kerala unit fully supports the  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) formed against the BJP at the centre. After gaining clarity regarding this in its previous central committee meeting, CPM has decided to support I.N.D.I.A robustly.

The members of the I.N.D.I.A coordination committee formed on Saturday will be decided by the PB that is expected to meet this month. Although some leaders, including Prakash Karat, expressed concern about the development of the I.N.D.I.A into an electoral front, the intervention of the Kerala unit proved to be crucial in clearing the air.

The discussion of the Kerala unit was in full support of the I.N.D.I.A. CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, who regularly participates in the coalition’s discussions,  explained in the central committee that although I.N.D.I.A has the characteristics of a national front, it is up to the states to adopt electoral strategies.

"Wherever no adjustment is possible, a joint campaign will not be held there. Will the Congress party give up the contesting election in Kerala and handover everything to CPI(M)? It is not possible. We will go ahead on the basis of the concrete situation. We believe that there will be an understanding on the majority of the seats," Yechury said. 

With this, the Kerala unit expressed its full support and decided to become an active member of the alliance. Yechury had said that cooperation would be possible depending on the situation in the states. The CPM will now participate in the seat negotiations to be held in the coming days. However, the party leaders also clarified that the Congress continues to be its main opponent in Kerala.

I.N.D.I.A has decided to participate in election rallies and campaigns together. CPM central committee member, R Arun Kumar and party social media convener Pranjal have been included in the campaign committee. The party’s decision is to actively involve itself in the policy declaration and election agendas of the I.N.D.I.A front. The CPM had played a decisive role in the formation of the 2004 United Progressive Alliance (UPA). The party will also reportedly take precautionary measures to avoid unnecessary controversies with respect to the coalition.

The state government is facing challenges including the possibility of the Centre creating a financial crisis. This is why the Kerala unit has come out in support of the coalition to face the challenge posed by the BJP.