THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to regain lost ground following its electoral debacle, the CPM has decided to reach out to prominent personalities and strengthen its grassroots engagement through a systematic house-to-house campaign.
The decisions were taken at the party’s extended state conference as part of efforts to reconnect with different sections of society and move beyond its traditional support base.
“In the extended state committee, there was serious discussion and criticism over the CPM losing touch with the people,” said a senior CPM leader. “The delegates pointed out that the party, which once knew the pulse of the people, had lost that connection after continuing in power in 2021. They asked the leadership to revive its outreach programmes,” he added.
As part of the initiative, the party will organise meetings with prominent personalities from different walks of life, irrespective of their political views, to understand their concerns and strengthen its engagement with society.
Over the past decade in power, several public intellectuals and Left-leaning sympathisers have reportedly distanced themselves from the CPM over political and ideological differences. The party's internal assessment also attributed its electoral setback partly to its perceived departure from secular values, leading to a loss of support among secular voters.
“The CPM realises that unless it wins back this electoral constituency, it cannot return to power. The grassroots outreach programme is aimed at achieving that,” a Central Committee member said.
The party intends to engage eminent personalities in meaningful dialogue and understand its shortcomings.
“We are not above criticism. We have our drawbacks. Through these interactions, we want to understand our shortcomings and lapses,” the leader added.
The CPM leadership's intervention following the recent cyberbullying of actor Mammootty by party sympathisers is also being seen as part of this outreach effort. The controversy erupted after SFI and DYFI leaders shared photographs with the actor on social media.
“Though the meeting was held at Mammootty's invitation, we see it as an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the organisation. There is no room for taking up past bitter experiences. Otherwise, what is the point of organising extended conferences at the state and district levels?” asked a leader who took part in the meeting.
The party has also decided to launch a monthly house-to-house campaign from December. Under the programme, party leaders at the branch level will visit households for two days every month.
The leadership plans to make the visits a regular organisational activity and periodically review their effectiveness.
