With sharp differences cropping up during discussion on the draft political resolution at the ongoing national conclave of the CPI-M, senior leader Prakash Karat on Friday said he was not in favour of the secret ballot for voting on the amendments as the party constitution has no such provision.

On the third day, the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) completed discussion on the draft political resolution with the participation of 47 speakers.

The steering committee will take into account all points raised in the discussion and a reply will be given after which there will be a report on amendments which have been moved by delegates, Karat told reporters after the discussion ended in the afternoon.

The former General Secretary said based on the report, if some amendments were to be pressed this would be allowed and if necessary put to vote. The entire resolution was expected to be put to vote and adopted late on Friday.

Karat said a couple of hundred amendments to the draft political resolution were received from the delegates.

The resolution is expected to decide CPI-M’s stand on the alliance with the Congress party for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Marxist leader, who is against the alliance, moved the draft political resolution while General Secretary Sitaram Yechury presented a contrary but minority view.

Some delegates, who are in support of an electoral understanding with the Congress, are reportedly insisting on secret ballot for voting on amendments.

Facing a volley of questions at the press conference, Karat repeatedly said that it was never the practice of the party. He pointed out that the party constitution does not provide for secret ballot except for election to the central committee.

“I am sure the party congress in its wisdom will understand what our constitution provides for or not provides for. If the issue comes, it will be settled down very easily,” he said.

“If the congress considers in its wisdom this (secret ballot) should be done, we will consider that.”

Karat said discussion on the draft resolution had been “very good given the fact that our country is facing a very difficult situation under the Modi government”.

“How to meet this situation, how to fight against this government, how to rally all the democratic and secular forces to ensure the defeat of this government is a matter which is of intense interest to our delegates. We have benefited by the discussion.”

He, however, declined to divulge the details, saying it would not be fair on his party to give main content or direction of resolution.

Like Yechury, Karat tried to play down the differences.

“In our party there is always a majority and minority view. In our political discussion, we have divergent views. This is not new. Every delegate has the right to press for an amendment. After voting and adoption, there is no majority or minority,” he said.

He disagreed when asked how the General Secretary can continue if his minority view is voted out.

“In our party everybody has the right to express their views in the right forum and after decision it becomes our collective property. We don’t hold that the minority view person can’t take a responsibility,” he said.