No support from own state of Tamil Nadu: Will D. Raja continue as CPI General Secretary?

CHANDIGARH: Concerns continue over whether the 25th Party Congress, which is being held in the centenary year of the Communist Party of India, will allow the current General Secretary D Raja to continue with a relaxation. The powerful Kerala unit is arguing that the 75-year age limit should be strictly implemented. The challenge before Raja is that even his own state, Tamil Nadu, is not with him. However, the North Indian units, including Bihar, are with Raja.

The current National Council, which will meet tomorrow night, is likely to recommend the name of the new General Secretary. There was sharp criticism against the central leadership in the delegation discussion held today.

The agreement in the national secretariat that met ahead of the party congress was to give concessions to D Raja. However, when the discussion reached the party congress in Chandigarh, the Kerala unit demanded that Raja step down, citing the age limit of 75 years.

The party's influential Bihar unit is arguing that Raja should be retained by giving concessions. The majority of the Bihar unit, of which 80-year-old Ram Naresh Pandey is the secretary, is over the age limit. North Indian states including UP are also with Raja. There is a small section in Kerala that supports Raja, contrary to the official side. Raja will also benefit from the fact that there are fewer supporters of National Secretariat member Amarjit Kaur, who is among the leaders to be considered if Raja is replaced.

National Council member P Santosh Kumar MP said in a press conference called to explain the discussions that the 25th party congress will unanimously elect the general secretary. When asked whether the age limit of 75 years will be followed in the higher committees, he replied that the party congress will elect the new general secretary as per the constitution and guidelines. "The party congress has the authority to take the final decision on such issues. Although different opinions may arise during the discussions, the final decision will be unanimous," said Santosh Kumar.