'No special consideration needed for Pinarayi Vijayan'; Bengal CPM faction doubles down on age limit rules

MADURAI: The CPM Bengal faction vehemently opposed giving relaxations to party leaders from age limit rules put forward by the Politburo. The Bengal unit took a stand on the issue at the CPM party congress being held in Madurai. The Bengal faction warned that dissent would brew inside the party if the politburo violated its norms.

Leaders have also opposed the move to grant age relaxation to Kerala Chief Minister and senior leader Pinarayi Vijayan for a second term. Meanwhile, the CPM party has also decided to increase the membership fee in the Congress from Rs 5 to Rs 10. A constitutional amendment will be brought for this purpose. The party congress also pointed to disinterests looming within comrades in Kerala. Despite many joining the party through membership drive, CPM has also witnessed a large number of politicians defecting from the red party in Kerala.