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Ahead of the party’s 21st congress scheduled for April 2015 in Visakhapatnam, the CPI(M) has started a serious debate on its future course. Party general secretary Prakash Karat and Polit Bureau members had to beat a hasty retreat as more than 70 per cent of the party members opposed a draft political resolution and political line moved by the Polit Bureau in the Central Committee.
The Central Committee, at a four-day meeting here, also discussed two separate notes from Polit Bureau members Sitaram Yechury and BV Raghavulu on the resolution.
“The Central Committee discussed the draft review report of the political-tactical line of the party.
“This review was undertaken in order to identify any weaknesses or shortcomings which need to be corrected to ensure the growth of the independent strength of the party and to be able to advance the struggle for a Left and democratic front,” a CPI(M) statement said.
It added that after the discussions, the Central Committee authorised the Polit Bureau to present a revised draft on the lines suggested by the Polit Bureau for approval in the next meeting of the Central Committee, scheduled for January.
“The next Central Committee meeting in January will adopt the draft political resolution and both these documents will be released for discussions within the party in the run-up to the 21st congress,” the statement added.
When asked at a press conference here whether the differences are a result of the alleged turf war between him and Yechury, Karat said the process is part of internal deliberations within the CPI(M). “Everyone in the party has full freedom to put forth their views and get them debated,” he added.
To hold plenum The Central Committee has also decided to hold a plenum on organisation after the party congress on the basis of the guidelines to be decided by the congress. Karat said the main discussion on the party organisation will be held in the plenum.
A source in the CPI(M) said the decision to hold a plenum was taken despite objections from a section of the party leaders. They had demanded that rather than taking the traditional route, the CPI(M) has to overhaul the organisation in order to attract the youth and fight the imminent “threat” of the Sangh Parivar. Both in West Bengal and Kerala, the BJP had improved its vote share in the lok Sabha elections.
There are also interpretations that the discussion on the new tactical line is a result of the turf war between Karat and Yechury. Yechury is tipped to succeed Karat as general secretary at the Visakhapatnam meet.
Senior Polit Bureau members S Ramachandran Pillai and Raghavulu are also considered contenders for the top post.
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