After 16 long years, CPI(M) scripts a comeback for Lenin

Unveil a Lenin bust to counter growing opposition to imperialism

NEW DELHI: The Soviet Union may have disappeared from the socialist map and Russia may no longer be a communist country, but the Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPIM wants to reconnect with the architect of Russian Revolution Vladimir Illyich Lenin.

For the first time after the 1964 split when the Indian Marxists sided China and eighty-three years after Lenin’s death, the CPI(M) on Wednesday unveiled a marble bust of Lenin at its AK Goplan (AKG) Bhavan headquarters here. The CPI had installed a bust as far back as in 1974 at its Ajoy Bhavan headquarters.

Giving a befitting tribute to Lenin, the CPI(M) underscored the importance of 1917 October Revolution and celebrated its 90th anniversary on Wednesday organising different functions. Meanwhile,  party politburo member Sitaram Yechury is in Moscow to address a meet of international communist leaders on the occasion of the 90th anniversary.

The Lenin bust was unveiled by party general secretary Prakash Karat on Wednesday. Downplaying the timing or the unveiling of the bust, party sources said, Lenin busts could be seen in mofussil offices of the party as well. They said it has nothing to do with Putin’s anti-American stand but is more a symbolic act to send a message to fascist and imperialist forces that communist parties across the globe are coming together to fight imperialism.

At a time when Putin downgraded protocol to visiting Indian dignitaries such as external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister AK Antony, the CPI(M) is trying to marshal all forces to strengthen its anti-American, anti-imperialist stance.

Unveiling the bust, Karat said the imperialist propaganda that it was the end of multilateralism after the collapse of Soviet Union has been proved wrong and their dream of a unipolar world is over.