CPM leadership criticized for alienation from grassroots; Concerns over SFI violence arise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the heavy setback in the parliamentary elections, CPM district committees to the central committee have raised criticism that the party and the government should regain the support of the grassroots. On the other hand, the leadership is blaming leaders belonging to backward community for their own failures and turning a blind eye to the quagmire of a section of the SFI.

Most of the party ranks are worried about how practical it will be to correct the mistakes in the party and the government. This could create a blowout in the party conferences starting in September from the branch level. Criticism was raised in the leadership meetings that the incumbent sentiment was the reason for the heavy downfall of the party and front. The central committee assessed that the basic problem was distance from the people, religion and communities and suggested that they should reach out to the people and win back their trust.

PB member Prakash Karat warned at the regional leadership meeting held in Kannur yesterday that if lessons are not learned from the debacle in Bengal and Tripura, the party will collapse in Kerala too. It is not enough to correct the mistake, the people should also be made aware of it. State Secretary MV Govindan's report said that the party has lost its organic connection with the people. Karat and PB member from Kerala A. Vijayaraghavan criticized that the CPM is in a rotten state in Kerala in the regional meeting in Kochi. However, there is a strong allegation that the Chief Minister, some ministers and some senior leaders of the party are trying to make light of the defeat in connection with the voting method in the Lok Sabha elections. The party leadership is under severe pressure not knowing how to correct the government.

SFI out of control

The party is in a position where it cannot control the violence in SFI college without accepting the criticism that they are also responsible for the downfall of the party. MV Govindan and A K Balan has also demanded SFI to correct mistakes. However, it is alleged that the unwillingness of the SFI leadership to learn its lesson is to gain the connivance of some elites in the party and the administration.

Blame again on Vellapally

Even though the central leadership has assessed that votes were lost from all communities, the attack by the CPM leaders against the SNDP meeting and General Secretary Vellappally Natesan has come under criticism. The state secretary M V Govindan alleged that Sangh parivar members are infiltrating the branches of Yogam. State Secretariat Member Puthalath Dinesan also alleged that efforts are being made to drive Sree Narayanaguru's followers to the platforms of the Sangh Parivar.