Crucial CPM meeting seeks to correct lapses after Kerala election setback

Senior CPI(M) leader EP Jayarajan on Monday said the party's three-day extended state committee meeting would help correct the lapses that led to its setback in the recent Assembly election and give "strength and vigour" to the Communist movement in Keralam.

In the Assembly polls, the CPI(M) won only 26 of 140 seats. The Congress got 63 seats and formed the government with its allies.

Jayarajan said the meeting, which began on Sunday, was examining the reasons for the defeat and that the party's documents and discussions were "moving in the right direction". Jayarajan said the exercise was aimed at taking the party forward and shaping its future activities.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode, Jayarajan said, "Certainly, this broad State Committee meeting will give more strength and vigour to the Communist movement in Keralam and to the CPI(M). This broad meeting will be able to make the party a bit more shining." Asked about demands from Kannur for major corrections, he said the setback was not limited to one district.

"Right now, we are not here to examine the rights and wrongs of this election. The issue faced by the party in Kerala includes all districts. It is not just Kannur; we faced a setback in all districts. That setback is a general outcome," he said.

He said the extended meeting was part of a wider discussion on the unexpected election result. "We are holding discussions across the party, listening to opinions and discussions very carefully, to gain clarity on why those setbacks happened. Once that clarity is achieved, we are holding consultations and discussions on how to correct the lapses and shortcomings," Jayarajan said.

He also said discussions and criticism were integral to the Communist movement. "Inside a Communist Party, every issue in the world will be discussed. There is no other party like it in the world," he said, adding that the party discussed global developments, issues in individual countries and Indian and Kerala politics.

"A party without criticism would not be a Communist Party. And those who criticise will also engage in self-criticism. That is its special characteristic," he said.

Jayarajan said the party had already identified the reasons for the poll defeat and that these were mentioned in the documents released by the CPI(M) Central Committee.

He said the current exercise was focused on correcting shortcomings and deciding the way ahead. "A thoroughly healthy, beneficial and hopeful discussion is what is taking place right now," he said.