Kozhikode, Sep 14 (IANS) The CPI-M’s three-day extended Kerala State Committee meeting has witnessed unusually sharp criticism and self-criticism of both the central and state leaderships following the party’s electoral defeat, state Secretary M.V. Govindan openly acknowledged on Monday, signalling an intense internal effort to find a way out of the political and organisational crisis confronting the party.
Govindan said the leadership was not surprised by the criticism and made it clear that even he had come under attack during the discussions.
Asked about it, he said criticism was an essential part of party functioning.
“If there is no criticism against me, how can I be a party leader? If there is no criticism of me, then what kind of conference is this? All of us need to correct ourselves. Through such corrections, the party will become stronger,” he said.
The discussions are being held entirely behind closed doors among 307 delegates, essentially the top brass of the CPI-M in Kerala.
Nineteen members had participated in the discussions by Monday, with the meeting specifically convened to undertake a self-critical assessment of the reasons for the election defeat.
The discussions have also produced a series of proposals aimed at rebuilding the party and countering the growing influence of the RSS.
The CPI-M has decided to develop a dedicated mobile app for party education and immediate clarification of doubts among workers.
It has also decided to make party workers more active at places of worship and intervene to ensure that festivals and celebrations remain public practices rather than becoming platforms for the RSS.
The party plans an in-depth study of the right-wing shift and intends to strengthen its presence in new media.
The leadership has also acknowledged the growing disconnect between party workers and the people, with branch and area committees being asked to intervene more effectively in people’s day-to-day issues.
Govindan said the party would take stringent action against leaders involved in unauthorised accumulation of wealth.
A suggestion has also emerged for a broad national alliance to resist the moves of central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate.
For the CPI-M, the three-day exercise marks an unusually serious attempt to respond to a defeat that has left the party searching for a way out of a difficult political situation.
The meeting concludes on Tuesday.
It remains to be seen whether the exercise will end with routine organisational conclusions or result in concrete changes in the party’s leadership and functioning.
–IANS
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