Magsaysay Award: Left leaders settle for CPM’s ideological stance, query strategy

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM’s resolution to not let senior chief and former well being minister KK Shailaja settle for the celebrated Magsaysay Award had triggered an ideological debate, with a piece within the Left entrance differing with the choice. 

Three days after TNIE reported the information, the talk could be very a lot on. While the efficient administration of Covid and Nipah outbreaks made her the selection, the CPM felt it was not a person effort.

The social gathering additionally noticed that former Philippines president Ramon Magsaysay had suppressed Communist guerillas.

Even as they agree with the CPM’s argument that Magsaysay was an anti-Communist, none of them can digest the explanations cited by the social gathering management. 

The argument that a person needn’t settle for the award as a result of the trouble was collective smacks of hypocrisy, double requirements and a patriarchal mindset, felt a pacesetter.

ALSO READ | Magsaysay for Shailaja would have been golden alternative for Left-wing: Experts

“It was highly disappointing. I understand the ideological reasons behind the decision, especially at a time when the Fascist forces target the Left. However, in today’s Indian scenario, the Left could have scored politically. The argument that it’s a collective effort doesn’t hold good. It smacks of patriarchy. Moreover, the recognition could’ve been a fitting reply to those who had ridiculed the state’s handling of Covid,” mentioned a nationwide chief, who questioned the double requirements in CPM’s justification.

A slew of different senior Left leaders echoed his view.

“There’s no doubt the CPM’s ideological position was correct, but the party could have approached it differently. They could have played up the honour before openly rejecting it. The Marxist ideology itself says how we should adopt a strategic and tactical approach against the bourgeoisie. Till a decade ago, the Left used to play a crucial role in deciding the path of Indian politics. It’s this needless rigidity like withdrawing support to the first UPA government that has relegated the party to its current pathetic state,” mentioned one other chief.

Another Delhi-based Left chief mentioned the sudden rise of Shailaja inside the Left had not gone down effectively with many.

ALSO READ | Magsaysay Award: Goals achieved, large alternative missed for Kerala Model of healthcare?

“Obviously, the CPM can take only such an ideological position. But the other factor too might have come into play while taking the decision. Isn’t that very obvious?” requested the chief.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM’s resolution to not let senior chief and former well being minister KK Shailaja settle for the celebrated Magsaysay Award had triggered an ideological debate, with a piece within the Left entrance differing with the choice. 

Three days after TNIE reported the information, the talk could be very a lot on. While the efficient administration of Covid and Nipah outbreaks made her the selection, the CPM felt it was not a person effort.

The social gathering additionally noticed that former Philippines president Ramon Magsaysay had suppressed Communist guerillas.

Even as they agree with the CPM’s argument that Magsaysay was an anti-Communist, none of them can digest the explanations cited by the social gathering management. 

The argument that a person needn’t settle for the award as a result of the trouble was collective smacks of hypocrisy, double requirements and a patriarchal mindset, felt a pacesetter.

ALSO READ | Magsaysay for Shailaja would have been golden alternative for Left-wing: Experts

“It was highly disappointing. I understand the ideological reasons behind the decision, especially at a time when the Fascist forces target the Left. However, in today’s Indian scenario, the Left could have scored politically. The argument that it’s a collective effort doesn’t hold good. It smacks of patriarchy. Moreover, the recognition could’ve been a fitting reply to those who had ridiculed the state’s handling of Covid,” mentioned a nationwide chief, who questioned the double requirements in CPM’s justification.

A slew of different senior Left leaders echoed his view.

“There’s no doubt the CPM’s ideological position was correct, but the party could have approached it differently. They could have played up the honour before openly rejecting it. The Marxist ideology itself says how we should adopt a strategic and tactical approach against the bourgeoisie. Till a decade ago, the Left used to play a crucial role in deciding the path of Indian politics. It’s this needless rigidity like withdrawing support to the first UPA government that has relegated the party to its current pathetic state,” mentioned one other chief.

Another Delhi-based Left chief mentioned the sudden rise of Shailaja inside the Left had not gone down effectively with many.

ALSO READ | Magsaysay Award: Goals achieved, large alternative missed for Kerala Model of healthcare?

“Obviously, the CPM can take only such an ideological position. But the other factor too might have come into play while taking the decision. Isn’t that very obvious?” requested the chief.