NEW DELHI: All eyes will be on Left’s two top leaders, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Politburo member Prakash Karat, at the party Congress in Hyderabad starting Wednesday, that will put its stamp on party’s future political line, and if Yechury will get a second term as general secretary. The two leaders have difference of opinion on electoral alliance with other parties, mainly Congress, for the ouster of the BJP government at the Centre. There is also a likelihood of Karat led Kerala faction suggesting name of former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar as party general secretary.
“He (Yechury) still has two terms left. There can be a contest, if the newly elected central committee decides to remove him before completion of three terms. But it will be a rare instance in the organised party,” said a senior party leader. As per the party constitution, no person can hold the position of the general secretary for more than three full terms means the period between two party congresses. Yechury was elected as general secretary in 2015 at Vizag.
According to sources, elevation of Sarkar as general secretary could face resistance for it will send wrong signal to party cadre in Tripura, where party lost after being in power for 25 years. Another sticking point between the two leaders is on party’s political line. Yechury’s political draft of having an “understanding” with other parties was defeated by draft moved by Karat. “The CPM state units have been moving amendments to the final draft resolution and based on it amendments can be made to the draft. Most of the amendments have so far been the understanding with the Congress,” said party sources. The five day party Congress will start with Yechury delivering the inaugural address on April 18 and will conclude with a public meeting on April 22.