Marxists to Strengthen Inner Party Democracy
Paving the way for greater democracy within the party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)central committee is reported to have accorded approval to a proposed reform plan, which would fix terms for the general secretary and state secretaries, say media reports citing party leaders.
CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat, however, said “no such move had been taken up yet”. But some party leaders confirmed that such a proposal was indeed in the process.
The cap on terms could deal a blow to Karat, already in his second term as party general secretary, this despite that his predecessors P Sundarayya (three terms), EMS. Namboodiripad and Harkishan Singh Surjeet (four terms each) served a much longer stint at the helm of party affairs.
The proposal, is approved, could also sound the knell for CPI-M Kerala unit chief, Pinarayi Vijayan, who is currently in his fourth term.
The party politburo reportedly submitted the proposals to the central committee, which met on 23-25 October to finalize a rectification document, which will provide the roadmap for ideological, political and organizational renaissance in the party.
“The rectification campaign is not some sort of a purge to remove bad elements from the party, but is a way to correct the political orientation of the party, revitalize it on the basis of our Marxist ideology and overcome any wrong trends within the party,” Karat said.
He added that the guidelines would first be implemented by the central committee level before being adopted by state and district committees.
