CPM plans organisational revamp in districts facing internal weaknesses; more young leaders to be brought into key positions.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM is planning a reshuffle in the leadership of districts where it has identified organisational problems. The move follows the party’s recent state-level review and is aimed at strengthening its organisational machinery.

The reorganisation is expected to bring more young leaders into key positions. Districts where there were lapses in candidate selection, shortcomings in the performance of individual leaders and factional divisions are likely to see changes.

As part of the process, the party is considering restructuring district secretariats and committees based on directions from the central leadership. Kannur is expected to see a major reshuffle. The central leadership has taken the view that the setback in the party’s traditional stronghold needs to be addressed.

The district leadership has been held responsible for the lapses in candidate selection in the Taliparamba and Payyannur constituencies. There have already been demands for the removal of district secretary K.K. Ragesh. However, the position of the Pinarayi Vijayan faction is expected to be significant in any decision. If Ragesh is replaced, T.V. Rajesh and Valsan Panoli are among those being considered, according to party sources.

Thiruvananthapuram district is also expected to undergo a reorganisation. The continuation of MLA V. Joy as district secretary had come under criticism during discussions at the extended State Committee meeting. However, the state leadership is understood to be of the view that a change may not be necessary as V. Sivankutty has now joined the State Secretariat. If Joy is replaced, it could alter the existing organisational equations. The district secretariat and committee are also expected to be expanded.

The state leadership has identified organisational issues in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Kasaragod as well. The party has attributed its setback in Kollam, a traditional stronghold, to organisational weaknesses. In Kozhikode, the CPM lost 12 of the 13 Assembly seats.

In Pathanamthitta, factional divisions among leaders were cited as a major reason for the party losing all the seats. The divisions are reportedly continuing. In Kottayam, there were instances of party votes shifting to the BJP, while the leakage of CPM votes in Kasaragod also benefited the BJP. The party has identified Manjeshwaram, Kasaragod, Malampuzha, Palakkad, Thiruvalla and Attingal among the constituencies where CPM votes shifted to the BJP. The state leadership has also assessed that the failure of district leaders to intervene effectively in local issues contributed to the problems.