Kollam: The CPM leadership has ordered the mass firing of those above the age of 25 from the Students Federation of India's (SFI) state committee as the student body's state conference kicked off in Kollam.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's order, if enforced, will eliminate majority of the SFI state committee members. Among those who will have to bow out will be state president Jaik C Thomas and secretary M Vijin.
Jaik is also a member of the CPM Kottayam district committee while Vijin sits on the Kannur district panel.
The SFI state committee has 89 members. A 19-member secretariat was also formed, but five of its members were evicted as they were not active.
The state conference is attended by 575 delegates. The party directive on the age limit will be a subject of vigorous debate at the conference. In case a demand is raised for relaxation to some, the party leadership might yield to a compromise. Indications are that, with the mass sacking threat looming large, arguments and counter-arguments will rage during the conference.
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