Anticipation Surrounds New General Secretary as CPI-M Party Congress Convenes
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As the CPI-M's 24th Party Congress begins in Madurai, speculation arises over the new General Secretary position, vacant since Sitaram Yechury's death. The schedule of speakers hints at potential candidates, with discussions underway regarding multiple names for the role.
Key Takeaways
- 24th Party Congress in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
- Speculations on new General Secretary's identity.
- Four Politburo members eligible for retirement.
- Confirmed speakers include U. Vasaki.
- Multiple candidates being considered for the top position.
Kolkata, April 1 (NationPress) As the 24th Party Congress of the CPI-M is set to commence in the sacred town of Madurai, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, new rumors have emerged regarding the selection of the party's General Secretary. This position has remained unfilled since the passing of the former incumbent, Sitaram Yechury, last year.
The announced lineup of speakers for the open session on April 6 has fueled speculation regarding the new or continuing General Secretary, as this role is traditionally represented at the conclusion of the Party Congress.
Notably, among the confirmed speakers for this session, four current Politburo members have surpassed the age of 75, making them eligible for retirement from their positions.
These members include former party General Secretary Prakash Karat, his spouse Brinda Karat, the current Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, and G. Ramakrishnan. The fifth speaker slated for the open session is prominent trade union figure U. Vasaki, who is currently not a Politburo member.
This situation has led to renewed speculation surrounding the identity of the new General Secretary, particularly as the prospects for Vijayan and Vasaki appear slim.
However, a member of the Central Committee from West Bengal suggested that it remains plausible for someone not currently listed as a speaker to be elected as General Secretary, with their name potentially added to the speaker lineup at the last moment.
“In previous instances, the name of a new General Secretary was usually apparent before the Party Congress commenced. This time, however, the circumstances are distinct, and multiple names are being debated for the new General Secretary role,” they remarked.
Currently, three individuals are under consideration for the prestigious position: the senior-most Central Committee member M.A. Baby from Kerala, All India Kisan Sabha President and peasant leader Ashok Dhawale from Maharashtra, and veteran politician Mohammed Salim from West Bengal.
Of these candidates, Salim has expressed a preference to remain in his home state to aid in the party's revival, while the other two are reportedly not favored by Vijayan, the party’s only Chief Minister.
