Kollam turns red for CPM state conference; days of heated debate ahead

KOLLAM: From rating the performance of the second Pinarayi government to the party stance on core matters, the issues are copious enough for heated debates in today's CPM state conference. After the inauguration, the work report will be presented by State Secretary MV Govindan, and the ensuing discussion will form the headlines for the coming weeks.

There was more criticism of the leadership and administration in the meetings held from the branch to the district level. It should be seen whether the same will repeat in the state conference. However, the leadership will take extra care not to give room for sectarianism to sprout in the organization.

After a gap of thirty years, Kollam is setting the stage for another CPM state conference. Amidst the rallying cry of ‘Inquilab’, the CPM red flag was hoisted in Ashram Maidan on Wednesday. Minister and Chairman of the Welcome Committee K N Balagopal hoisted the flag.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, State Secretary M V Govindan, LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan, Ministers P Rajeev, V N Vasavan, Saji Cherian, R. Bindu, P.A. Mohammed Riyas, O R Kelu, MLAs, state leaders and others participated.

AK Balan will hoist the flag at C Keshavan Memorial Town Hall (Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Nagar) at 9 am today. Politburo Coordinator Prakash Karat will inaugurate the delegation meeting. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the policy document on ‘Nava Kerala. ’

Topics that will be discussed

• Succession of the third regime

• New Kerala Development Plan

• Functioning of the Ministers' Office

• Employment and welfare pension fraud

• Increase in salary of PSC members

• The position of Asha workers in their strike

• Toll on KIIFB roads

• Naveen Babu's death and P.P Divya’s role

• Heavy defeat in the Lok Sabha elections

• Police failures, including Pooram riot

• Controversy including ragging allegation against SFI

• E.P. Jayarajan’s book and other controversies