Differences in CPI to the fore; meet ends today

Leaders told to follow lifestyle that befits a communist

Discussion on the working report presented by Communist Party of India (CPI) State unit secretary Pannian Ravindran on the third day of the 22nd State conference of the party on Sunday brought out the factional preferences among speakers who did not spare neither the party secretary nor the contenders for the top post.

The criticisms were so scathing that Mr. Ravindran, in an emotionally-charged response that extended for more than 30 minutes, accepted his failure on certain issues, including his unprecedented step of declaring his decision to stand down after this term officially through the party organ.

He reminded the speakers to use words carefully while criticising and also pointed to the unprincipled tendencies that emerged during the organisational elections in a few districts. The tendencies during the elections and the talks at the discussions were so much loaded with factional content, that the State secretary had to warn against emergence of factionalism within the party.

Binoy Viswam, party’s national council member, while briefing the media, however, denied the reports that appeared in a section of the visual media that the conference was put on hold for some time on account of the indiscipline. ‘‘The tea break had to be extended as various commissions had to discuss matters,’’ he said.

According to him, the issue of the need for expanding and strengthening the Left Democratic Front (LDF) had come up, but this was mostly centred round bringing those parties that had left the coalition. The issue of the Kerala Congress (M) [KC(M)] and its leader K.M. Mani too was discussed, but the conference was of opinion that neither the KC(M) nor Mr. Mani was fit to be a member of the LDF.

He said that one of the thrust areas of discussion was the need for the party and its leaders to uphold the Left identity. ‘‘Party leaders and cadres should follow a lifestyle that befits a communist,’’ he said. He said the party’s failure in preparing not only class organisations, but also mass organisations in the fight against the anti-people policies was criticised by the delegates. The conference will conclude on Monday after electing a new leadership.

A volunteer march and a public meeting will be held in the evening.

Party exhorts its leaders and cadres to follow a lifestyle that befits a communist