‘Party may need to be corrected, but party members must vote for CPM itself’

NEW DELHI: CPM general secretary M A Baby has defended Pinarayi Vijayan’s speech in Kannur while not ruling out the discussion on a change in leadership. Speaking at the press meet in Delhi, he asked whether party members could switch their votes merely because they had complaints about the candidates. Baby said party cadres should understand that, regardless of the circumstances, standing against the party is wrong.

‘Complaints should have been raised within the party. The party in Kerala is presently undergoing internal treatment. Sometimes, strict measures need to be taken within the party This is part of the process of correcting mistakes. Those in the higher levels of the party are also not free from parliamentary deviations. At the politburo meeting that concluded yesterday, members conducted self-criticism on three issues. These included parliamentary infatuation, working in accordance with the wishes of the people, and collective functioning. The discussion about a change in leadership is an agenda created by the media. Corrections will be made. It is an ongoing process. Some things that led to misunderstandings among the people have also occurred within the party.

The discussions at the state committee meeting being held in Kozhikode will be based on the report prepared by the state committee. Criticism and self-criticism will take place on the basis of this report. The party’s central committee and state committee had already conducted an assessment of the electoral defeat. The party’s assessment has been printed and distributed as a party document. There will be no further discussion on that. The discussion in Kozhikode will focus on suggestions for strengthening the party,’ said M A Baby.