With the crucial Assembly polls drawing closer, the ruling CPI(M) is determined to shed the sense of despondency that had engulfed the party rank and file following the back-to-back electoral debacles in the state. The party leadership, which had at one time become virtually reconciled to their fate, has now decided to not give even an inch to the opponent without a fight.
The party leadership are asking the party ranks to shed the “defeatist mindset” and get ready for a do-or-die battle. To galvanise them, the party satraps have decided to give the following clarion call: “Fight the foes (read Trinamul Congress) and save the fortress.” This new strategy will be discussed in the two-day state committee meeting slated to be held from October 31 to November 1.
The meeting has assumed significance because this is the first such meeting after the recent “recapture” of Lalgarh. It was in the last state committee meeting where the CPI(M) had chalked out its blue print for Mission Lalgarh. “In the coming meeting, we will discuss our future course of action. There is no doubt that the Lalgarh recapture has rejuvenated our demoralised cadres and given them fresh hope and confidence,” state committee member Sushanta Ghosh said. He had masterminded Operation Lalgarh which was led by Anuj Pandey, the Lalgarh zonal committee secretary.
Significantly, the Bengal party unit which had earlier entered into a debate over the central leadership’s tactical line during the Lok Sabha polls, has now realised that the unnecessary blame game had left a negative impact on the party supporters.
“We are leaving this acrimony behind and looking ahead with a renewed vigour and optimism,” state party secretary Biman Bose was quoted as saying in a recent party meeting.
In sync with this “re-awakening”, the party will review the present ground reality in districts like South 24 Parganas, West Midnapore, Hooghly, Bankura and Purulia where the party had a drubbings in the polls at the hands of the Trinamul Congress.
This apart, the state committee will also point out the neglect and sluggishness that have crept into the work related directly to the people, particularly the interests of the poor and working masses.