Red flag hoisted: 24th party congress begins in Madurai, call to protect Kerala Govt

MADURAI: The 24th party congress of the CPM has started in Madurai. Senior leader Biman Bose hoisted the flag at the Tamukkam Maidan (Sitaram Yechury Nagar) in Madurai. More than 800 delegates are participating in the conference. Details of the party congress resolution calling for the protection of the Kerala government have also been released. The resolution said the Congress is participating in the move to destabilize the government and that it fully supports mechanisms including KIIFB to generate additional income.

The party congress will be a platform for heated discussions, including a self-assessment that the party's base is eroding, including in influential Kerala, and that effective steps have not been taken to stop the growth of the BJP.

The draft review report had outlined the political and ideological weaknesses facing the party, including the leaders' lust for power and their distance from the common people. Discussions on new policy formulation aimed at maintaining power in Kerala and regaining the popular base elsewhere will enliven the six-day session. The party congress will end after announcing the new general secretary.

The political line and tactics to revamp the party in line with the new times will be discussed. In order to prevent a repeat of Bengal and Tripura in Kerala, strategies should be formulated seeing the BJP as the main opponent along with the Congress in the assembly elections to be held next year.