The CPI-M has decided to limit the term of its leadership to three terms, but this is not linked to squabbles within, general secretary Prakash Karat said on Thursday.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist leader said on the sidelines of the 20th party congress that this would cover all posts right from that of the general secretary to the lowest level. He hastened to add that this was no sudden decision.
“We have come to the conclusion that this would help because we are now a party of more than 10 lakh,” he said. “Earlier when our party membership was around 40,000, and at times we had to work from underground, our stress then was continuity in leadership.
“Now we are in a different level. Three terms means, around a decade, and it is a long time. By fixing the term, it would be possible to rejuvenate the party,” he said.
He denied media speculation that delegates from West Bengal had asked for a leadership change. He admitted there was factionalism in the party.
“In our party, we follow democratic centralism, it is a collective functioning and collective leadership. At times violation takes place, which we characterstise as factionalism. In some places it has risen but this is not a common issue. We have taken steps to curb this and we have succeeded to a large extent,” Mr Karat said.
He said the party had given former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee “leave of absence” because of his ill-health. “We are missing him but he is following the Congress from Kolkatta.”
***
SP, NCP may cut Maha Cong vote share
Venkatesh Kesari
New Delhi, April 5
Maharashtra Congress leaders fear that the Samajwadi Party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena could make a dent in its political constituency in the state if “corrective steps” are not taken urgently.
The Samajwadi Party is not only focusing on North Indians in Mumbai and other parts of the state but concentrating on minorities in Mumbai, Malegaon, Bhiwandi, Aurangabad, Parbhani.
On the other hand, the Raj Thackeray-led party is gradually attracting non Shiv Sena-BJP voters and thus posing a threat to the Congress-NCP combine.
The Congress’ support base among Marathas and dalits got weakened following the formation of the NCP in 1999. It has succeeded in retaining power because of minorities and alliance with the Sharad Pawar-led party.
“We don’t know how far the current team — chief minister Prithiviraj Chavan and PCC chief Manikrao Thakre — would succeed in facing the political challenge,” state Congress leaders said.
They further said the party high command knows the strength and weaknesses of Mr Chavan and Mr Thakre well. And it is for the Central leaders to decide the fate of this premier state.