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CPI (M) Congress begins today

K.V. Prasad

4,000 amendments to draft political resolution received

— Photo: K. Ananthan

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat addressing the media on the eve of the 19th Congress of the party in Coimbatore on Friday.

COIMBATORE: The six-day, 19th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), opening here on Saturday, will discuss and pass resolutions on issues of national concern, adopt a political resolution and hold elections to its Central Committee and Central Control Commission.

But, for the first time, veterans Jyoti Basu and Harkishan Singh Surjeet will not take part in the Congress. They had expressed their inability to travel to Coimbatore on health grounds, Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat told presspersons here on Friday. To a specific question on Mr. Basu, she said his absence would be deeply felt. But a video footage of his message would be played at the Congress.

Democratic process

Ms. Karat said 4,000 amendments to the draft political resolution had been received, right from the district units. “This is a reflection of the deep involvement of the cadres. The Congress itself is the culmination of what can be legitimately described as one of the most democratic processes any political party can involve itself in.”

The delegates were those who were duly elected to various units of the CPI (M), unlike the practice of other parties which nominated delegates to their meets.

Apart from focussing on the issues of price rise and the agrarian crisis, the Congress would discuss the role and experience of the Left-led governments. There would also be a review and assessment of alternative policies for these governments.

CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat would open the Congress. Communist Party of India general secretary A.B. Bardhan would address the inaugural session. Twenty-six fraternal organisations from 24 countries would attend.

The CPI (M) has organised an exhibition on its history, the achievements of the West Bengal Government and the realities in Nandigram. A seminar on various issues, cultural programmes and screening of short films are the other events.

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