THRISSUR: It is going to be more political and less organisational this time. With Thrissur getting ready to host the CPM state conference after 37 years on Thursday, political debates are set to gain prominence over organisational issues. However, the cultural capital of Kerala could witness a new power axis shaping up within the party.
With factionalism almost a thing of the past, there will probably be no major organisational issues at this conference. Instead, political issues could gain more significance. To be held in the presence of general secretary Sitaram Yechury, ongoing talks of a probable alliance with the Congress will definitely be a major point of discussion. The Kerala CPM, which has stood behind Prakash Karat in rejecting Yechury’s political-tactical line, will try to further cement its antagonistic stance.
An ongoing debate on whether to induct K M Mani into the LDF will also be discussed. A couple of district meets had discussed the issue, wherein a number of senior leaders had openly made the party stance categorically clear on the matter. With the CPM’s attempts to woo Mani not a secret anymore, criticism against the party could be aired. In addition, the CPI - which has drawn flak in the organisational reports at almost all district meets - is also set to be a subject of debate at the conference.
The performance of the 21-month-old LDF government and that of the ministers too will be reviewed in detail. The home department, functioning of the police and Finance Minister Thomas Isaac’s stand on GST had invited criticism from party cadres. An introspective assessment of the party’s performance since the Palakkad plenum is also expected to figure at the conference.
Political violence
A section of leaders are unhappy over the political murder of Youth Congress leader S P Shuhaib, which has cast a shadow over the conference. Sources said there could be criticism against the state leadership over the political violence and its failure to rein in the cadres. Delegates, especially from the southern districts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram, could raise the issue. Similarly, the Binoy Kodiyeri row that saw the party on the defensive too could crop up during discussions.
Curiously, the state conference may witness a new axis of power coming up within the party. Indications of such an emergence were visible in the recent district meets as well as during the torch march that was held ahead of the state conference. “Though factionalism is no more visible, there is a convergence around some senior leaders who had taken a differing stance from other party leaders. The statements from M A Baby and V S Achuthanandan could be read in tandem with this,” said sources.
The next three years are crucial for the government as various welfare activities have to be carried out through the committees. It is essential for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state leadership to ensure maximum support base in the state committees. There will be some minor reshuffle in the state committee. While a number of senior leaders could exit the committee, the panel could see the rise of several youth, including A N Shamseer and Mohammed Riyaz. Recent developments in the Ernakulam unit will be something to watch out for. While a section of leaders continue to owe allegiance to VS, a prominent section stands with the official faction. However, what’s noticeable is the fact that a section, including some senior leaders, maintain a distance from both factions of late.
From Ernakulam, N C Mohanan of TELK, Abkari Welfare Board chairman C K Manishanker, K N Gopinath and Bamboo Corporation chairman K J Jacob could also be considered to the state committee.
The state leadership may even take a call against Ernakulam being given more representation in the state committee.