Kerala CPI prohibits contests against official panels during party conferences

When Binoy Vishwam came to helm CPI’s Kerala unit in December 2023, it was in the aftermath of the demise of Kanam Rajendran, a leader known to have stood for inner party democracy. However, Kanam’s successor now face the risk of being tagged as someone who intends to kill the inner party democracy within the Left organisation.

 

The CPI leadership reportedly issued a directive prohibiting contests against the official panel during party conferences. The instruction states that no one is allowed to contest against the official panel. If any such attempt is made, the respective conference will be suspended.

 

This decision comes at a time when there is dissatisfaction brewing in the party cadres against the state leadership. Currently, local-level conferences are underway within the CPI. The state conference is scheduled to be held in September.

 

The directive states that if any contest arises or if anyone prepares to contest in any of the conferences, those conferences will be suspended.

 

During the previous conference cycle, it was the official faction itself that initiated contests in several districts. Back then, the move was seen as a strategy to counter dissident activity. However, this time, the leadership anticipates dissent directed at the state leadership and the official faction itself, which makes the new directive particularly significant.

 

At present, local conferences are ongoing. District-level conferences will follow in August, leading up to the state conference in September. The new directive is a preemptive move ahead of the upcoming conferences.

 

Last month, the CPI state executive recommended a six-month suspension for veteran leader and former national executive member K.E. Ismail after his controversial remarks put the party leadership on the defensive following the death of CPI leader and former Ernakulam district secretary P. Raju.

 

Raju’s family had refused to allow his body to be displayed at the party office, alleging that the party had betrayed him while he was alive. The party had previously taken disciplinary action against Raju over alleged financial irregularities. Although he was eventually cleared of the charges, the action was never revoked. In the wake of the family's criticism, Ismail remarked that Raju had suffered emotional distress due to the party’s action—a statement that triggered the disciplinary proceedings against him.

India