How do you view India at 60?
KARAT: Our biggest achievement since Independence is parliamentary democracy and the democratic system, which is unlike any other newly independent country. This system has endured. This is not a small achievement considering India’s size and its diversity. I would look upon this as the most important feature of India. On the other side, after 60 years of Independence, we cannot claim that we have fulfilled all the aspirations of the people with regard to economic well-being, securing their livelihood and ending poverty and exploitation.

Has governance by coalition ensured political stability?
KARAT: It is the vitality of our democratic system that we have a number of political parties. It is built into our democratic system, its diversity and its multi-lingual society. It is natural that we have a multi-party system. I don’t agree with those who think that a two-party system is needed for political stability. It is this multiplicity that we have that has ensured democratic functioning. So much has been said against coalition governments. Not all coalition governments are bad. It depends upon the government concerned. Anumber of coalition governments have been formed since 1990. We supported the coalition governments at the national level in 1996-97. By comparison, it has been more difficult for parties like the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party to come terms with this reality. Our party has long and rich experience of co-existence by coalition. The longest-serving government in West Bengal has always been an alliance, even if it is of the parties of the Left. For us, to have this approach at the national level is not new.

What are the main threats to India’s polity?
KARAT: I think threat of communalism has grown in India. There has been a rise of communal forces in the last 20 years. The Indian State has not been able to tackle this threat. Similarly, the other threat is the use of caste appeal in politics and the rise of caste identity. It is going to be detrimental to our being a modern, progressive society.All said and done, it is only the democratic political system that has contained the ill-effects of these phenomena.

Are you happy having supported the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from outside for three years now?
KARAT: It is not the question of being happy. The political reality is that you have to work within what is possible. We had to support this government even though we knew that there would be differences. There have been differences on a number of policy matters. We constantly try to engage the government on each of these issues. We have succeeded in altering things in some cases; in some others, we have not.

What is the future of this arrangement?
KARAT: It is all part of the political process. Every Lok Sabha election delivers a mandate and throws up issues. We are used to people expressing their verdicts. Governments have been formed and there has never been a crisis at national level. But one thing is clear: the days of single-party rule are over.

By getting into this process, have you not given a go-bye to revolution?
KARAT: Our party has for long viewed the parliamentary system as an advance in reflecting peoples’ aspirations and ensuring their participation in the political process. Since 1952, we have participated in every election. It is not a negative approach. We do not consider this participation inimical to our effort for basic social transformation, which is what revolution is all about. Parliament is a legitimate platform for this. Any means adopted for social transformation in India will have to have a democratic component.

Have we been good neighbours to smaller nations?
KARAT: Key to good neighbourly relations and cooperation in South Asia lies in India-Pakistan relations. Our effort should be to resolve outstanding issues with Pakistan. That is why we have supported the comprehensive dialogue. As for others in South Asia - Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka - we have to develop a relationship of confidence with them, where we are not seen as overbearing, and economic cooperation is forged for mutual benefit. In the case of Nepal, during the recent important phase of democratic changes, the Government of India played a positive role. With Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, we need to do more to elicit trust in relationship.

Do you see India emerging as an economic superpower, among the top five, by 2040?
KARAT: Given the economic potential of India, it has definitely become an important economic force in the region. This is inevitable. But the more important question is: what type of economic development are we seeking? Whether it will increase economic disparities or will provide equitable economic growth? In the seventh decade of independence, can we align our political democracy with equity and social justice? If we succeed, only then can India say it has dome something special to be called an economic superpower. I don’t agree that only a ten per cent growth rate or the United States helping us along will give us that status.