CPM fighting with succession battle within
HYDERABAD: Amidst reports of a rift within the CPM's central leadership over the party's dismal performance in last year's general elections, its three-day central committee meeting saw rival groups trying to prevent one another from expressing their views.
The rift within is seen by many as a succession battle, with CPM general secretary Prakash Karat's term set to end this April. The central committee is likely to elect its new leader at the Visakhapatnam Congress the same month.
Names of party seniors Sitaram Yechury, B V Raghavulu and S R Pillai are doing the rounds for the top post. However, Raghavulu ruled himself out of the race.
'We are discussing the current political scenario in the country in the meet. We have also expressed concern over the declining strength of the CPM in the past few years. We are formulating strategies to revive the party's past glory,' said Raghavulu.
Sources said some leaders openly expressed their unhappiness over Karat's 'failure' to ensure party's good show in elections. However, Karat dismissed the rift within as a media speculation.
The fireworks began after Karat placed a 'Draft review report on the political, tactical line' being adopted by the party in the morning session.
'Differing opinions are regularly expressed by the party members. Everyone has full freedom to put forth their views and get them debated. On the first day, some of the members squarely blamed the present leadership for its electoral drubbing in its traditional bastions,' said a senior leader.
Sources confirmed that central committee member Sitaram Yechury blamed the party's present leadership for its present state of affairs.
Majority of the speakers wanted the party to grow independently and form a Left Democratic Front by roping in all the Left Parties, however small they may be.
News Posted: 20 January, 2015
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