CPM moves to contain criticism against ‘leadership’ after Kerala election defeat

Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state leadership has reportedly directed lower party units not to turn their post-election review reports into exercises targeting individual leaders over the party’s defeat in the Assembly elections.

The state leadership has issued detailed guidelines on what should be included in reports to be prepared by area committees. Discussions at the grassroots level are expected to strictly follow these guidelines.

The instructions reportedly make it clear that criticisms raised at district committee meetings, including allegations regarding leaders’ behaviour, language and favouritism, should not find a place in the area committee reports. The move is seen as an attempt by the state leadership to prevent the sharp criticism witnessed at district-level meetings from spreading further within lower organisational units.

The state leadership has reportedly provided a questionnaire containing 34 questions, and the area committee reports are expected to be prepared solely as responses to these questions.

In a departure from usual practice, area committees have been directed to submit their reports directly to the party’s state centre instead of district committees. As a result, district units will not have access to the reports prepared by lower committees.

The questionnaire also reportedly contains references suggesting that the party had attempted to politically consolidate beneficiaries of government welfare schemes as part of its electoral strategy.

Area committees have been asked to explain how many meetings were organised to bring welfare pension beneficiaries closer to the Left camp politically.

The committees have also been asked to assess the participation of members associated with Kudumbashree in Left activities and report on meetings conducted involving ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, Haritha Karma Sena members, cooking workers and MGNREGA workers.