THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major changes in the CPM are unlikely as the party gears up for its state conference in a couple of days. In fact, CM Pinarayi Vijayan may emerge stronger within the party.
Moreover, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will continue as the party’s state secretary in all likelihood, despite being on the defensive following the row over his son Binoy Kodiyeri.
In terms of a change of guard, a couple of senior leaders may be moved out of the state committee for reasons which include ill-health. The state secretariat will also see new faces. Despite rumours Kannur strongman P Jayarajan will come to state secretariat, chances of it happening are less.Central Committee member Vaikom Viswan may be replaced as LDF convener post the state conference. Various names are being considered for elevation to the top post. Special invitees at the state committee M M Lawrence and K N Ravindranath could be dropped due to old age.
Focus on performance
Since no major factional issues or inner party fights are looming over it, the Thrissur conference will focus on the Pinarayi Government’s performance. With a possible Cabinet reshuffle on the cards, the performance assessment will be significant. While a couple of ministers had drawn flak at the district conferences which concluded two weeks ago, no major criticisms were levelled at Pinarayi Vijayan.
But the performance of the Home and Police Departments had come under criticism at some conferences.
The Kerala CPM that stood behind Prakash Karat in rejecting General Secretary Sitaram Yechury’s political tactical line, will try to project its stance at the state conference. To be held in the presence of Yechury, the state conference will be a venue for the state leadership to make its stance clear once again.
VS faction insignificant
The last state conference at Alappuzha years ago had proved eventful with the VS episode that left the party red-faced. In an unprecedented move, then state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan read out a resolution on the eve of the conference, labelling VS, then Opposition leader, as one with an anti-party mindset, while hinting at disciplinary action against him.
The development pretty much set the tone for the state conference then. The factional tussle eventually led to VS walking out of the state conference, even triggering speculations he may part ways with CPM. But the leadership was able to mellow down the veteran.The faction for V S Achuthanandan remained a tricky question in the minds of the party cadre as well as VS after the last conference.
It was Yechury who brought in clarity on the matter, saying VS, a special invitee to the Central Committee, will be part of the state committee. However his name is yet to be included in the committee so far.
Female representation
Though the CPM decided to bring in more youngsters and women into the committees, it still lacks sufficient women representation. But for the first time, the issue of poor women representation has found a place in district-level organisational reports, said a senior leader.