In an apparent reference to inner party struggles, prominent leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Monday sought to assert that “no person was above the party,” and all members were obliged to implement the party’s decisions.
Inaugurating a public meeting that marked the valedictory of the 21st State conference of the CPI(M) here, party general secretary Prakash Karat lamented the “disappointing” absence of veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan at the function.
Even as he pointed that Mr. Achuthanandan was an inherent part of the party, Mr. Karat said individual prominence had no place in the party. He hoped that Mr. Achuthanandan accepted the common norms and discipline of the party that he was obliged to implement as a senior leader.
Party stalwarts
He recounted the roles played by party stalwarts, including P. Krishna Pillai, A.K. Gopalan, and E.M.S. Namboodiripad, all of whom were “collectively responsible towards the Communist movement which is not belonging to any individual leader or community. This is the common property of the people of Kerala,” Mr. Karat said.
Newly elected party State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, in his presidential address, went a step further, emphasising that the CPI(M) had, in the past, withstood numerous challenges posed by its leaders who had quit the party.
He cited the instances when M.V. Raghavan and K.R. Gouri were expelled, following which concerns were raised regarding the party’s electoral chances in Malabar and Travancore, respectively.
“However, we have defied such challenges, and proved that the party’s supporters have stood by the party and not by individuals,” he said.
Dangerous trend
In his address, Polit Bureau member S. Ramachandran Pillai said the party did not consider raising of diverse opinions by its members a dangerous trend.
However, all were liable to abide by the official stance of the party.
The CPI(M) had upheld its disciplined and centralised manner of functioning at all times, he said.
No conditions
Former party State unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said members must surrender before the party without setting forth any conditions. “The party has not bowed before demands set by any individual. Those concerned would do well to abide by the party’s manner of functioning.”
CPI(M) district secretary Saji Cheriyan welcomed the gathering. Polit Bureau members Sitaram Yechury, Brinda Karat, A.K. Padmanabhan, and M.A. Baby, and members of the Central and State committees participated in the public meeting.
