07-07-2007, 03:11 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>'Well-wishers' question CPM support for Pratibha </b>
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi link
Leave party brass red-faced
A mystery letter is doing the rounds in CPI(M) circles questioning the party's support to UPA presidential nominee Pratibha Patil, its failure to punish the people responsible for the Nandigram incident, and its deviation from the party's ideological moorings.
The language of the unsigned letter dated June 25, a copy of which is available with The Pioneer, makes it look like an inside job. The issues it has touched upon have created ripples in party circles.
The letter, claimed to have been written by a group of party members, sympathisers and wellwishers, was circulated among the members of the Central Committee coinciding with the party's Polit Bureau and CC meetings.
Making a fervent appeal to the party leadership to review its programmes and policies, the letter said, "We hope that the concerns raised by us are addressed with all seriousness rather than be brushed aside as motivated attacks. We hope the enlightened leadership will focus on the issues raised herein rather than on 'who are behind this letter?'"
Describing the party's support to Pratibha Patil as a "disturbing development", the letter said it has been "the CPI(M) (not the Congress party) that has imposed on the nation a controversial presidential candidate, who is perceived to be unsuitable for the highest office".
Referring to the haste with which the leadership endorsed the name of Pratibha Patil, the letter said, "Had we taken some time to think over the suitability of the candidate for the highest office, would we have not saved ourselves from the embarrassment of supporting a candidate whose credentials appear to be ordinary if not suspect?," the letter said.
"Was this hurried decision to endorse Pratibha Patil's name based on misplaced feminist sentiments?" it added.
Without mentioning the name of CPI, but obviously referring to it, the letter said that it seems the CPI(M) had abdicated the role of the leader of the Left Front and reconciled itself to play second fiddle to a junior partner who is always eager to share every inside deliberation with the world.
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Pioneer News Service | New Delhi link
Leave party brass red-faced
A mystery letter is doing the rounds in CPI(M) circles questioning the party's support to UPA presidential nominee Pratibha Patil, its failure to punish the people responsible for the Nandigram incident, and its deviation from the party's ideological moorings.
The language of the unsigned letter dated June 25, a copy of which is available with The Pioneer, makes it look like an inside job. The issues it has touched upon have created ripples in party circles.
The letter, claimed to have been written by a group of party members, sympathisers and wellwishers, was circulated among the members of the Central Committee coinciding with the party's Polit Bureau and CC meetings.
Making a fervent appeal to the party leadership to review its programmes and policies, the letter said, "We hope that the concerns raised by us are addressed with all seriousness rather than be brushed aside as motivated attacks. We hope the enlightened leadership will focus on the issues raised herein rather than on 'who are behind this letter?'"
Describing the party's support to Pratibha Patil as a "disturbing development", the letter said it has been "the CPI(M) (not the Congress party) that has imposed on the nation a controversial presidential candidate, who is perceived to be unsuitable for the highest office".
Referring to the haste with which the leadership endorsed the name of Pratibha Patil, the letter said, "Had we taken some time to think over the suitability of the candidate for the highest office, would we have not saved ourselves from the embarrassment of supporting a candidate whose credentials appear to be ordinary if not suspect?," the letter said.
"Was this hurried decision to endorse Pratibha Patil's name based on misplaced feminist sentiments?" it added.
Without mentioning the name of CPI, but obviously referring to it, the letter said that it seems the CPI(M) had abdicated the role of the leader of the Left Front and reconciled itself to play second fiddle to a junior partner who is always eager to share every inside deliberation with the world.
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