Harkishan Singh Surjeet stepped down from the post of general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) after an uninterrupted 13-year-long stint, at the 18th congress of the party. Surjeet's tenure, in his own words, marked one of the most trying periods for the CPI(M) after its formation in 1964. The forces of communalism, he points out, were on the ascendant through most of his 13 years at the party's helm, but the party can draw satisfaction from the way these forces were eventually thwarted in the last general elections. Surjeet himself refuses to take any credit for turning around the country's contemporary history, but delegates at the congress acknowledged the 89-year-old leader's political career spanning seven decades by hailing him as a "living legend". Venkitesh Ramakrishnan met him for an interview after the party congress was over. Excerpts:
What would you say were the high points of your tenure at the helm of the CPI(M)? And how would you assess the 18th party congress?
We communists are not used to describing political careers in terms of individual contribution. Though I was general secretary of the party, the leadership was given collectively. I too played my part in that collective leadership. Historically, the period after 1992 [the year Surjeet became general secretary] marked one of the most trying times for the nation. It was also one of the most trying times for the party after its formation in 1964. The forces of communalism were on the ascendant through most of this period, employing not only aggressive communal politics but also clever stratagems and subterfuges. All this had to be countered. The party can take satisfaction that, at the end of it all, these forces have been rebuffed. That's why, when we gathered for the 18th congress, there was a sense of contentment that we have carried out one part of our historic role. But the job is far from done. The concerns of the toiling masses of the country need to be addressed comprehensively. The congress has evolved plans to carry out the tasks of the future.
A large number of political observers believe that you were instrumental in forging the unity of secular forces to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. Could you explain how you went about organising forces as disparate as the Congress party and the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham?
As I told you earlier, communists undertake political activity not to prove personal superiority but as part of a historical task. Bringing together secular forces was the need of the hour and the party was fully immersed in it. As general secretary, I had to partake in the negotiations and was successful in highlighting the party's understanding of the political situation before other parties.
Analysts talk about the personal acceptance you have among the leaders of other parties, such as Sonia Gandhi, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad. There is also an opinion that the party may find it difficult to retain the kind of acceptance you had, now that you have stepped down...
There is no doubt that all the leaders you mentioned respect me. But I am senior in age to all of them. I have been a political activist for seven decades; have fought in the freedom struggle, and all these factors must have contributed to their appreciation. But what these leaders ultimately accepted was the party's political line at a particular time. So, to say that the CPI(M) will not get acceptance just because I have stepped down as general secretary is completely wrong. I would say that comments like this are made by those who have no understanding about the functioning of the Communist Party.
There is also talk about a generational change in the CPI(M)'s leadership, that the first generation communists of the country, with their rich experience of the freedom movement, are slowly fading away...
One cannot hope to have first generation leaders at the helm of the party for all times to come. That would require some biological miracle. But, let me assure [you] that the younger leaders in the CPI(M), including the new general secretary Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury, have all imbibed the right lessons from the first generation leaders. They have worked closely with me and other leaders like P. Sundarayya, A.K. Gopalan, Jyoti Basu and E.M.S. Namboodiripad, for periods ranging from 20 to 35 years. You must also remember that Jyoti Basu and I are continuing in the Polit Bureau despite our health condition. So, what you are seeing in the CPI(M) is not generational change, but continuation of a political legacy.
The CPI(M) had given a call for enlarging the party's base in northern India in 1992, when you became general secretary. A similar call has come from the present congress too. As is evident, the CPI(M) could not make much progress in northern India in the last 13 years. Do you think the experience will be any different now?
See, the objective political conditions in the country after 1992 were marked by ascendant communalism and casteism. The party's primary task was to combat these forces and defeat them. We have made some gains in this fight and large segments of the population are getting disillusioned with communal, divisive politics. The 18th congress has analysed this situation concretely and has devised new plans to broadbase the party in the Hindi heartland. That is why the call has been renewed with greater emphasis.
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