CPM Kollam district conference report: Infighting between two leaders led to issues in Karunagappally

KOLLAM: The action report presented by the Secretary at the CPM Kollam district conference highlighted two leaders as being at the centre of issues within the CPM's Karunagappally area committee, which saw incidents such as a march to the party office and leaders being locked inside a conference hall. The report states that the issue in Karunagappally was not factionalism but a conflict between groups led by two leaders.

The events that unfolded during the local conference in Karunagappally brought embarrassment to the entire party. The leaders did not comply even after the State Secretary issued a stern warning. Instead, they incited party workers, leading to further unrest. The area committee was dissolved after realizing this, according to the report.

Party's double standard

A representative from Punalur criticized the CPM's leadership structure, pointing out a double standard. MV Govindan, an MLA, became the CPM State Secretary, and V Joy, also an MLA, serves as Thiruvananthapuram District Secretary. However, grassroots party workers who become panchayat presidents or cooperative bank presidents are denied important party positions, he said during the public discussion. Another representative from Kadakkal said that the party's inability to find a suitable candidate for the national general secretary position after Yechury's demise was a shame. He further added that the party's policies at the national level are weakening.

A representative from Chadayamangalam criticized the decision to field Mukesh as the candidate in Kollam in the parliamentary election. He said that the candidate was unacceptable to party workers and had created huge troubles during the election campaign. He also asked whether the party was not able to find anyone with party membership in Kollam.

Severe criticism was raised against the Chief Minister and the Left government during the conference. Some representatives alleged that the Chief Minister's silence amidst severe allegations raised by the media and opposition dampened the morale of party workers. The Chief Minister only holds a press conference after the controversy dies down. The absence of strong action against EP Jayarajan in the controversy surrounding his meeting with Prakash Javadekar raised suspicions among the public that the party was aware of the meeting. Criticism was also raised against leaders speaking their minds without restraint. The discussion will continue today.