CPI, CPI-M to merge?

Communist Party of India-Marxist polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury on Monday hinted at a possible merger of the two Left parties -- CPI and CPI-M -- in the near future.

He, however, said no time-frame could be given as to how long the process might take.

Yechury was speaking at a 'Meet the Press' organised by the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ).

"The merger of the two parties, however desirable it may be, has to undergo a certain process. One way of doing it is through the unification of various mass organisations and joint activities at the lower level, which will percolate to the top," he said.

"I think that is a more sustainable path, rather than the leadership coming together. So that is a process that is on. The parties are working together now at the mass organisation level," Yechury added.

When asked if the process could eventually lead to the merger of the two parties, he replied, "Hope so".

At the same time, he refused to give a time-frame. "We cannot give a time table. But all the well wishers of the Left want it to happen as soon as possible," he said.

Highlighting the CPI-M's commitment towards fighting corruption, he said his party demanded comprehensive anti-corruption measures, including an effective Lok Pal legislation bringing the Prime Minister under its ambit, setting up of a National Judicial Commission to oversee the judiciary and electoral reforms to curb the use of money power.