KOZHIKODE: It could well be a turning point for the Kerala CPM — by either setting in motion a comprehensive course correction, or a mere cosmetic correction marking the beginning of its decay.
As the party begins its extended state committee meeting on Sunday, whether it’ll actually go in for structural reforms, remains the big question. With the entire CPM currently revolving around the overarching stature of Pinarayi Vijayan, the biggest task ahead would be to emerge out of his shadow.
In the wake of the recent Enforcement Directorate move against Pinarayi, whether the meeting would end up a mere farce too remains to be seen. Whether the issue would come up in discussions will prove crucial.
Concerns are there among the top party brass that the corruption charges could spill out during discussions and make the whole episode a Pinarayi trial.
State secretary M V Govindan has made it clear that the meeting is not intended to discuss the ED-related developments. Secretariat member P Rajeeve too clarified that there wouldn’t be any leader change.
However, the leadership is well aware of the call for change and is trying its level best to silence any dissenting voices. While a few district units have already warned its leaders against any spillage of information to the media, the Kannur unit is learnt to have told delegates not to single out leaders for criticism.
“If you think major structural changes are in pipeline, you are wrong. Of course there will be more accountability and vigour. Beyond that, it solely depends on the course of discussions coming up,” said a state committee member. Neither Pinarayi nor Govindan will be replaced at this point, he added.
Post electoral defeat, the CPM has been witnessing a major clamour for leadership change, renewed criticism against a cult-worship-kind of Pinarayi following, rising parliamentary ambitions among leaders and arrogant posturing towards the masses. To what extent the party will be able to curtail such tendencies would decide the fate of reforms.
The humiliating defeats especially in its strongholds have revealed the rising erosion in its mass base. Winning back the masses at a time when the BJP has been making inroads into its vote base poses another challenge. While a section in the leadership argues for genuine measures and total overhaul, the larger section stands for mere conventional measures. It will be a tug of war between the reformists and the old Turks headed by Pinarayi and Govindan.
To be held in the presence of general secretary M A Baby and a few PB members, the course of discussions at the meeting will also decide whether the central leadership will have any leeway to intervene and chart a course of remedial action.
Imminent tug-of-war
While a section of leadership argues for a total overhaul, the larger section stands for mere conventional measures. It will be a tug of war between the reformists and the old Turks headed by Pinarayi and Govindan