An action plan was also announced to improve the quality of life of Keralites to that of the level of developed countries; building of a knowledge society; addressing joblessness by generating 20 lakh jobs and continued focus on the development paradigm. These are the essential components of the New Keralam Document Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented to the Conference.

The big jump in IT exports, the development of Vizhinjam International Seaport and the ongoing implementation of the Kochi-Coimbatore Industrial Corridor project are set to provide a big boost to these plans.

Inaugurating the conference, CPI(M) Politbureau coordinator Prakash Karat lashed out at the Congress for questioning the party’s view that the BJP-led Union Government displayed “neo-fascist characteristics.”

Responding to Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan’s criticism that the use of new terminology betrayed an unwillingness of the CPI(M) to take on the BJP, Karat said that way back in 2018, the CPI(M) Party Congress passed a resolution which described the Centre as showing “emerging fascist tendencies.”

The Modi Government, he said, was displaying neo-fascist characteristics by aggressively pursuing Hindutva and neo-liberal policies. These disturbing developments, called for continued resistance, he added, and accused the Congress of playing cheap politics.

The political-organisational report presented by the CPI(M) State Secretary M. V. Govindan has accorded top priority to strengthening the party’s organisational activities to resist attempts to communalise the minority communities. The report laid stress on urgent and concrete steps to correct the “wrong tendencies” that have crept into the party.

Addressing a press conference later, Govindan accused the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second most important partner in the Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), of aligning with communal organisations such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

The IUML’s resort to such dangerous tactics stems from its panic over the CPI(M)’s growing influence among the minority communities, Govindan pointed out. Such attempts, he warned, could, however, have “far-reaching consequences” for Kerala’s secular polity and society.

“The minority communities are being pushed towards organisations that are working to build a theocratic state. Though these steps are being taken by placing the CPI(M ) as their main enemy, it will end up depleting the Muslim League’s base. On the other hand, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) earlier used to vote in favour of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, following which they had an alliance too.

"But, now the United Democratic Front votes are going to the BJP, as we have seen right from the Nemom constituency and recently in Thrissur as well as in the recent ward by-election in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The CPI(M) will formulate practical programmes to resist the interventions of communal forces.”

The organisational report also voiced grave concern over the RSS front organisation, the Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action, trying to communalise the Christian community by injecting anti-Muslim sentiments in them. This is nothing but a well-planned effort to divide the minority communities to benefit the RSS and the BJP.

The report lambasted the BJP-led Union Government’s attempts to economically strangle the State to scuttle the developmental as well as welfare programmes of the LDF Government. It was also strongly critical of the attempts by a large section of the right-wing-aligned mainstream media to whip up public anger against the State Government.

Activities to turn Kerala into a women-friendly state and expand its palliative care plans will also be stepped up, according to the report.

Central Committee member A K Balan hoisted the party flag at the delegates conference nagar to the accompaniment of fireworks and vigorous chanting of slogans. As many as 526 persons, including 486 delegates and 40 observers, are participating in the Conference and among them, 75 women.

There will be a discussion on the development document on Saturday. CPI(M) State secretary M V Govindan will reply to the discussions on the organisational report on Friday. Sunday, March 9, will see the constitution of the new State committee and selection of Party Congress delegates. The conference will conclude with a red army march and public meeting to be addressed by top party leaders. (IPA Service)