P. Rajeev, who has been re-elected Ernakulam district secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], claimed that unity in the party was strengthened at different levels over the past three years.
Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, he said its new programmes such as the organic farming initiative, the palliative care mission and the Kaniv Action Force for support of accident victims found favour with the public. While these programmes along with regular mass mobilisations over issues concerning the people had helped the party strengthen its base and fetched it electoral wins at different levels in the district, more creative intervention was needed to better the standard of living of people living along Ernakulam’s 43-km coastline, the district conference decided.
Mr. Rajeev said there was also a suggestion to take up the cause of slum dwellers who form 2.6% of the district population. The party would also focus on new generation employment sectors such as new age financial institutions and mall workers to take up their issues. Meanwhile, traditional industries, the party’s traditional stronghold, which needed restructuring to stay afloat, would also stay in focus.
Participation of youth
While the youth formed close to 8% of the party members in the district, the plan was to have at least 20% of those below 25 years. Similarly, women should form at least 20% of the total members in the district. Mr. Rajeev said the average age of party members in the district had already become two years younger.
To a question, he said there was no lapse on the part of the party in its approach to leaders with involvement with criminal elements. “We never let out guard down against such lapses nor have condoned such instances. When there was such an allegation, the State committee examined the case and cleared the member in question of charges,” he said, obliquely referring to the extortion case against Kalamassery area secretary V.A. Zakir Hussain in 2016.
Mr. Rajeev downplayed the CPI(M)’s ongoing tiff with its ally CPI in the district, saying the party preferred to settle disputes through discussions as it intended to have constant Left unity.
