CPI(M)-CPI unity crucial in fight against fascist forces, says M.V. Govindan

M.V. Govindan and Binoy Viswam, State secretaries of the CPI(M) and the CPI respectively, at the 75th anniversary of the Edappally police station attack in Kochi on February 28. The event was jointly organised by the CPI(M) and the CPI.
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretary M.V. Govindan said here on Friday that the CPI(M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) could continue their fight against right-wing fascism without mulling over a merger of the two parties.

The radical right-wing has garnered strength globally by promoting new faces of fascism. Constitutional bodies and government agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, and the Income Tax department, are under the control of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as the journey towards fascism is happening regularly, he said in his address at the 75th anniversary of the Edappally police station attack by Communist Party activists to free two party cadres, who, according to those who took part in the attack, were unjustly detained by the police. The memorial event was organised jointly by the CPI(M) and the CPI.

Mr. Govindan said the two parties need not insist that the fight against fascism could be taken forward only after their merger. “Let them remain as two different parties. If it [merger] is happening, let it happen. I am not against it. But what is required now is a joint fight by the two parties against the fascist agenda and positions adopted by the right-wing forces,” he said. He added that the Edappally police station attack figured among illustrious struggles led by the Communist Party, which culminated in the formation of the first Communist-led democratically elected government in the country.

In his address, CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam said the unity of Left parties was crucial at a time when the fight was being waged against the right-wing fascist forces and the alignment of the Congress party with the SDPI and the Jamaat-e-Islami.