Yechury demands Rafale probe, advises caution towards Pakistan

On the ban of Pakistani artists

Supporting Salman Khan's statement where he criticised Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA)'s decision to indefinitely ban Pakistani artists, Yechury said, "Entertainment should be kept out of politics, and political dialogue between two countries is necessary at a time when India is committed to fight against terrorism."

Two days ago, Salman Khan has strongly criticised the IMPPA's decision to indefinitely ban Pakistani artists.

On dealing with Pakistan

The CPI(M) urged the Centre to continue with the "diplomatic and political" moves to defuse tension and eliminate cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and hoped that there would not be any further escalation of conflict between the two countries in the near future.

Yechury added, "We have been following the operation of the Indian Army. We hope that now, incidents like the one at Pathankot and the recent one at Uri will not recur. We feel that the government should ensure the safety and security of our people from cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and at the same time Central government should see to it that there is no further escalation of conflict henceforth. We urge upon the Government of India, from its position of strength, to continue with the diplomatic and political moves to defuse tension and eliminate the scorch of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan," Yechury said.

Asked why the CPI(M) was in favour of talks with Pakistan even though such efforts had failed in the past, the general secretary said: "There are certain media groups who want to execute us (CPI-M) on charges of sedition. What is in the country's interest? Indo-Pak dialogue is this government's declared agenda."

Yechury claimed that the "pro-US tilt" in the country's foreign policy had made India a target of the anti-US terror groups and he feels that BJP's policy on external affairs needs to be checked as Centre thinks the US to be their "junior partners", and antagonising other countries like Russia and China.

Resolutions taken in CPI(M) plenum

While a section of CPI(M) leaders feel that joining hands with Congress has resulted in further downfall of CPI(M) in West Bengal, especially in the West Bengal Assembly Election 2016, the resolution taken in the plenum suggested that CPI(M) wants an alliance with the Congress.

1) It was decided that to counter BJP in the Centre and Trinamool Congress in West Bengal there is a need to join hands with the secular forces including Congress.

2) While BJP is trying to push the fascist agenda of RSS, TMC has disturbed democracy in Bengal, as they have already grabbed most of the elected bodies be it panchayat or municipalities from the Opposition parties through coercion or enticement.

3) With dwindling membership and lack of quality members in the CPI(M) party in West Bengal, along with inactive CPI(M) leaders , the need of the hour is to induct fresh blood within the age group of 18-32 years and to remove the inactive members from the party.

4) It was decided that within 2018 there is a need to increase around 25% women membership in the party for its revival as there has been significant drop in women membership in the party

5) CPI(M) will launch a massive movement against the economic and external affairs policies of the Centre as they feel that BJP's tilt towards the US is affecting India's image.

With agency inputs

Edited by Aleesha Matharu

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