CPI(M) has called for a nationwide campaign in the first week of November against spiraling price rise, rising price of fertilizer, unemployment, against allowing FDI in retail and demanding strong action to curb corruption at highest level. In an interview to Ganashakti, Prakash Karat, CPI(M) General Secretary, has emphasized the that the policies of UPA government are the root cause of these problems.
Food prices are increasing continuously. But virtually no steps have been taken by the Centre to control it. What do you think is the reason behind this inaction?
Karat: The food inflation rate has shot upto 11.43 per cent last week. This is intolerable. The high prices of vegetables are making it a luxury item for the people. The reason the Central Government is failing to tackle price rise is because its own policies are responsible for fuelling price rise. Last month the government allowed oil companies to increase the prices of petrol by over Rs. 3 per litre. After deregulation of petroleum prices, the prices of petrol and diesel are going up every few weeks. That is why the seasonal fall in prices of vegetables that should take place in October, normally, is not happening this time. The rise in transportation costs has neutralized the seasonal fall in prices. Similarly, the futures trading in foodgrains, pulses and other food items is also stoking price increase. It has no relation to demand and supply. It is all speculative trading for profits. Even worse, in the name of curbing price-rise, they want to open retail trade fully to foreign multi-national companies. So, unless the government changes its policies, price rise cannot be checked.
The issue of corruption at highest level has created anguish among the people. But the fight against it seems to be somewhat confused with various streams like Anna Hazare, inner conflict within them, BJP raising the issue etc. What should be Left’s clear position?
Karat: High-level corruption has evoked anger and disgust among the people. That is why the Anna Hazare movement got popular support, especially among the middle-classes. But this movement has a limited perspective. It does not see how the fountainhead of corruption is big business and the neo-liberal policies. The government is also active to discredit the persons who are leading the movement for an effective Lok Pal Bill. The BJP is hoping to cash in on the anti-corruption feelings of the people. That is why L K Advani began his rath yatra. But unfortunately for him and the BJP, the focus went to Yeddyurappa, the BJP’s former Chief Minister in Karnataka, who was arrested on corruption charges. The BJP has been tarnished by its links with the mining mafia in Karnataka. Whether it is the Congress or the BJP, there is nothing to choose as far as corruption is concerned. The left has spelt out that high-level corruption is an outcome of the neo-liberal regime which has produced a big business-politician-bureaucrat nexus. You can see the role of all three sectors in the 2-G spectrum scandal. In order to fight high-level corruption it is necessary to have: (i) An effective Lok Pal authority; (ii) A separate mechanism to oversee the judiciary and check corruption within its ranks (iii) Electoral reforms to curb money power in elections (iv) Unearthing of black money and change in tax laws. But these are legal measures. Above all the neo-liberal policies which facilitate the loot of public assets and natural resources by the corporates should be changed.
Central government and the votaries of neo liberal policies are claiming that despite global economic stress, the “Fundamentals” of Indian economy is strong. That proves that we are on right track. What will be your comment on this?
Karat: First of all, the impact of the global financial crisis is being felt in India too. The industrial growth has been slowed down. The GDP growth is also slowing. Inflation is taking its toll. Unemployment is increasing. If we have not suffered a worse fate, it is because our financial sector is insulated to some extent from the vagaries of international finance. This is not due to the UPA government’s approach. They wanted our banks and financial sector to be fully open to foreign finance capital. They were prevented to do so, by the opposition of the Left.
Nearly six months have passed since Left’s setback in West Bengal and Kerala. Are there signs of resurgence? Do you think the Lefts will be able to regain strength?
Karat: In Kerala, the electoral defeat was so narrow, only 3 seats difference, that it has had no adverse impact on the Party and the LDF. In the last five months, there have been struggles and movements of different sections of the people, particularly the students. The UDF government is already on the defensive. We will recover ground very quickly. In West Bengal, it will take more time as we have to face severe attacks on the Party and mass organisations. There is also the fact that after 34 years of Left Front government, the slogan of change found support among sections of the people. People have to learn from the experience of the new government. In the meantime, our party will face and overcome the attacks. We will regroup and reorient the Party organisation so that it can take up the people’s issues and launch struggles. Given the history of the way the Communist movement was built in West Bengal, we are confident that the Party and the left will be able to recover the lost ground and move forward.
(Interview on 31 October, 2011)
