KOLLAM: Unlike the previous conferences, the CPM Kollam district conference was highly critical of the state government and the central and state leaders. This may spread to other district conferences also. The shock caused by the heavy defeat in the last parliamentary elections is what prompted the representatives to forget their fear of the leadership and criticise openly.

The representatives said that the chief minister grabbing the mic and bending it, insulting the anchor and the party secretary scolding the mic operator, created hatred among the people. The Chief Minister not meeting the media when there are controversies was questioned. Children look in fear at CPM state leaders who bully media workers. There was a demand that the action against EP Jayarajan, who met with BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, should not be limited to removing him from the post of LDF convener. AK Balan was also criticized for controversial remarks like eenampechi (pangolin) and marapatti (palm civet). There were indications that most of the current ministers are incompetent and there was a demand to appoint people with experience as ministers.

Warning against sectarianism

The state leadership to expected to take a tough stance against sectarianism in the upcoming district assemblies. The exclusion of four district committee members from Karunagapally, where sectarianism is extreme, is a warning. The state leadership is looking forward to whether the Kollam model intervention, where there is no hesitation of dismissal and exclusion if party discipline is violated, will be beneficial. Apart from DYFI district secretary, SFI leader was also included in the district committee. Eight newly elected area secretaries were not considered in the district committee and two women were given a place in the district committee instead.