KANNUR: The 23rd party congress of the CPM started in Kannur. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is also the chairman of the welcome party, hoisted the flag at AKG Nagar, the general assembly venue. The delegates' meeting will be held at a specially prepared venue in the academy named after EK Nayanar.

General Secretary Sitaram Yechury will inaugurate the party congress tomorrow morning. CPI General Secretary D Raja will greet the gathering. The Congress will be attended by 815 people, including delegates, observers and members of the Central Committee.

At the same time, the CPM's organizational report stated that there was a decline in party membership. The report also said that the BJP's growth in West Bengal and Tripura, where the party had influence and rule, was not recognized.