Concerns Emerge in Bengal CPI(M) Regarding New State Committee Formation
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Synopsis
The recent formation of a new 80-member CPI(M) committee in West Bengal, led by Md Salim, has raised significant questions about its composition, including the lack of representation from youth wings and the retention of certain members despite previous defeats in internal polls.
Key Takeaways
- New 80-member committee announced by CPI(M).
- Concerns over lack of youth representation.
- Retention of defeated members raises eyebrows.
- Absence of veteran leaders from the committee.
- Upcoming Assembly elections prompt cautious leadership decisions.
Kolkata, Feb 26 (NationPress) Following the CPI(M)'s announcement of a new 80-member committee in West Bengal, led by party politburo member Md Salim for a second term, several questions have emerged regarding the members of the panel.
The first concern revolves around the fact that among the 11 new additions to the state committee, none are from the CPI(M)'s student and youth wings, despite the leadership's prior emphasis on incorporating fresh faces into leadership roles.
Secondly, there is confusion over the retention of Mrinal Chakraborty, a former district secretary from North 24 Parganas, in the new state committee, even after his defeat in the internal elections for district secretary held just before the 27th state conference.
Another point of contention is the exclusion of veteran leader and former West Bengal municipal affairs and urban development minister, Ashok Bhattacharya, from the new committee due to age, and the fact that he was not even invited as a special member.
Concerns have also been raised about the absence of Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, the party's only Rajya Sabha member from West Bengal and a senior advocate at the Calcutta High Court, who was also omitted from the new state committee.
Insiders suggest that the CPI(M)'s state leadership is hesitant to implement significant changes in the new committee formation, especially with the upcoming crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal next year.
This committee must be prepared for both scenarios: contesting independently and maintaining the seat-sharing agreement with the Congress, which began during the 2016 state Assembly elections.
The draft political resolution from the CPI(M) for its 24th party Congress, set to take place in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, in April, emphasizes a focus on independent political strategies over electoral alliances.
"The party should concentrate on independent political campaigns and mass mobilization around its core platform. There should be no compromise on our independent identity or activities for the sake of electoral agreements or partnerships," reads an excerpt from the draft political resolution.
