Hyderabad — Amid the tug of war between the two groups in the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM), the 22nd Congress of the party continued the debate on various amendments to the draft political resolution for the third day on Friday. It is expected to conclude the deliberations and finalise its political line and strategy by Saturday.

Prakash Karat, who had moved the draft resolution in the party conference two days ago, told the media that the party constitution does not allow secret ballot and there will be only open voting on the amendments. “There will be an open and transparent discussion on any view. There is nothing secret about it,” he said, dismissing speculations about the differences in the party as a myth.

While Prakash Karat and his supporters, notably from Kerala and Tripura, were advocating contesting the coming elections independently, the party general secretary Sitaram Yechuri — supported by the West Bengal unit — was in favour of the party having an understanding with Congress, to defeat the BJP.

“Any member can demand voting, but once the vote is done and a decision is reached, everybody will abide by it,” Karat said. “There is no question of majority and minority view.” He hoped that the political draft would be finalised by Friday night.

He said that the party congress was “bigger than the Central Committee”, and the final decision would be taken here. The party congress Friday passed resolutions on the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission, and in support of the Mazdoor Kisan Sangharsh Rally to be held on September 5 this year.

The party expressed its deep concern about the anti-federal and anti-democratic underpinnings of the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission and demanded review of the same. “They are intended to reduce the share of the states in overall tax devaluation, squeeze the fiscal space available to the states, impose unacceptable conditionalities and privilege centrally sponsored programmes over state programmes,” the resolution said.

In another resolution passed, the party noted the growing discontent among the working class and other sections of the “toiling people, including the peasants and agriculture workers, against the policies of the BJP-led government at the centre”.