CPI(M) Polit Buro member Prakash Karat said that to deal with the BJP and the RSS, opposition parties have to conduct ideological and political struggles continuously.
He said that the Left parties may not be a strong force at the national level at present, but it is they who can initiate the ideological fight against the BJP and RSS and make it an alternative platform for other opposition parties.
"Apart from making alliances before elections, parties have to conduct ideological and political struggle against the BJP and the RSS continuously," Karat said at a programme here on Tuesday to mark the 57th foundation day of 'Ganashakti', the West Bengal CPI(M)'s mouthpiece.
Stating that the RSS and the BJP have managed to pervade a significant section of people in the north and western parts of India, the former CPI(M) general secretary said that because of this, it has managed to comfortably win assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, despite claims of strong anti-incumbency waves in both states.
"Just like the RSS works within the society round the clock through its various outfits, socially, culturally, educationally, you have to build such organisations, putting out your own democratic, secular and Left ideology and vision among people," he said, maintaining that there is a lack of these among the Left parties currently.
The Left is in power in only Kerala at present, having lost Tripura to the BJP in 2018 and West Bengal to the Trinamool Congress in 2011.
Karat claimed that minorities in India are being marginalised in the name of nationalism.
"In India today we have an extreme right (wing) government which has developed from an extreme right (wing) party, which is the BJP," he said.
He claimed that this "party is the mask" and the RSS is the real face behind it.
Karat admitted that "this party" has proved itself capable of mobilising large sections of people in their support.
"The Hindutva forces have become the dominant force in India today and the BJP has become the dominant political party in the country because it is supported, partnered and is in alliance with India's big bourgeois," the CPI(M) leader said.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
You’ve hit your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Quarterly Starter
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online
Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app