The Opposition lacked clarity in drawing the ideological battle line between “Hindutva and secularism” and, therefore, failed in forcefully projecting an alternative to the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, according to the CPM. Soft Hindutva is not the answer for hardcore Hindutva.”Despite the obituaries that have been written about the Left in India, Yechury asserted that far from being on the retreat, this is the time for the CPM to step up. The logical corollary of an ascendant Right wing is a growing space for the Left, according to Yechury. Where the Opposition — the Congress and the CPM — failed was in pooling resources to capitalise on the high anti-incumbency against Trinamul. as a result of which the CPM’s strike rate was cent per cent, winning the two seats it contested.

Source: The Telegraph June 11, 2019 00:22 UTC