The three-day CPI(M) central committee meeting had a stormy start on Thursday. The members were divided over fixing a new time slot for the 20th party congress, originally scheduled for April 2011.
CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and his followers insisted that the congress be convened before schedule so that it does not coincide with the assembly elections in West Bengal and Kerala. But politburo veteran Sitaram Yechury and the Bengal brigade led by Left Front chairman Biman Bose and state chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee wanted the congress to be deferred till the completion of the assembly polls.
Confirming that the issue was raised, politburo member MK Pandhe said, “We will discuss it and inform you about the decision at an appropriate time.”
Officially, the Karat group wants to complete the process of formation of a “disciplinary commission” before the polls. However, highly-placed party sources hinted that Karat’s actual intention was perhaps to continue as party general secretary for another three years, which might not be possible if the congress
is held after the state assembly polls.
As per the party constitution, a general secretary can be replaced only at the party congress.
“If it is concluded before the elections, Karat will continue for another three years and there will be no strong point in favour of his replacement. But in case of a post-election congress, things might become difficult for him. The chances of a disastrous performance by the Left in Kerala and West Bengal in 2011 are quite high. Demands could then rise for Karat’s resignation as party general secretary,” a central committee leader said.
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