CPI plenum to update political strategy

Following the collapse of the Soviet Bloc, the party had adopted a "Programmatic Statement" at its 1992 Hyderabad Congress on the basis of which it had been functioning since then.

"Now with fresh developments in the National and international situations, there is a need to elaborate many aspects of this programme," CPI National Secretary D Raja said. He added that the plenum would also decide on steps to "streamline functioning of the party and the mass organisations."

The CPI-M had also updated its programme at a plenum in Thiruvananthapuram last month, after deliberating on it for several months, to bring it in tune with the current political scenario.

At the pleunm, the CPI is likely to do some soul-searching on its steady decline on the organisational and electoral fronts, with its representation in both Houses of Parliament on the decline – three members in Lok Sabha and five in Rajya Sabha.

On the political front, the issue of the CPI’s attitude towards Congress could witness some heated debate, even though it buried its pro-Congress stand soon after the emergency. It would also discuss the emerging "threat of communalism" and the National Democratic Alliance Government’s "disastrous policies".

The plenum, will conclude on Sunday, will be followed by a meeting of the National Council on Monday. While about 125 delegates have been elected from different states to attend the meet, another 125, who are members of the National Council, will also be present.