Kochi: The 23rd State Conference of the CPM began in Kochi on Tuesday morning with veteran Marxist Anathalavattom Anandan hoisting the party flag. Party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury inaugurated the meeting.

Yechury said Kerala has been showing the way forward for the country. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a pre-poll interview, said that the Left's ideology is a dangerous one even though it is present only in a corner of the country. The prime minister felt it dangerous because it challenges all that is represented by the RSS and the BJP. Kerala should always show the path to the entire people of the country,” he said.

"The last four years since the last state conference in Kerala and the last party Congress have been years when there was a a further consolidation of the right wing offensives in our country. The BJP is advancing the fascistic RSS Hindutva agenda relentlessly. At the same time it's aggressively pursuing the neo-liberal policies, accompanied by the complete loot of national assets. A corporate-communal nexus has been developed in the country which is leading to the worst form of crony capitalism," Yechury said.

The commercial capital of Kerala is witnessing the CPM state meet after 37 years and the conference this time is unique for several reasons.

The party meet is being held in an atmosphere of confidence infused by the Left Democratic Front's stunning victory in the assembly polls last year which helped its retain power in the lone state ruled by it.

The meet, which will go on till March 4 (Friday) will discuss the development of the new-age Kerala along with the party's organisational matters, party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

The policy document on 'Nava Keralam' will be presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at 4 pm on Tuesday. Thereafter at 5.30 pm, the floor will be open for discussions.

The new development agenda of the State would be finalised after holding discussions with people from various walks of life, Kodiyeri stated.

Kodiyeri would present the political organisational report during the conference.

'Total unity this time'

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the media that this State conference would be historic as it is going to be held in the backdrop of total unity in the party, without having any factional skirmishes. The conference would demonstrate the unity and strength of the party, he said.

According to Kodiyeri, the party has the realisation that it doesn't have the electoral support of 50 percent of people in the State. So, the conference would discuss the ways to make the party more equipped to garner further popularity and widen its political base.

While claiming that more people are coming forward to invest in Kerala, Kodiyeri said that his party would not oppose the setting up of private universities recognised by the University Grants Commission in the State.

The schedule

The State Conference will be attended by 400 delegates along with party State Committee members and 23 observers. The conference would be inaugurated by general secretary of the party Sitaram Yechury.

Kodiyeri will present the organisational report at 12.15 pm after the inaugural function on Tuesday.

The State secretariat meeting to be held on Monday at 4 pm would decide on the the leader who should hoist the flag at the conference venue ahead of the inauguration of the delegates' session.

On Wednesday, March 2, politburo member Prakash Karat would inaugurate a seminar on 'Constitution, Federalism and Secularism- the Future of Indian Democracy.' Discussions will held on the organisational report.

On Thursday, March 3, the entire time will be devoted to discussions on the "Nava Keralam" document. On Thursday evening, Kodiyeri and Pinarayi will give their replies.

A cultural meet would be held and be inaugurated by M A Baby, another politburo member.

On Friday, March 4, which is the last day, the new State committee members and the new State secretary will be elected. The delegates for the Party Congress to be held in Kannur and the members of the State Control Commission will also be elected.

Prominent politburu members attending the meet are S Ramachandran Pillai, Brinda Karat, and G Ramakrishna.

The Party Congress, which is the national conference of the CPI(M), is to be held later in Kannur.

The programmes would be held in accordance with the COVID-19 health protocol.