CPM admits: our links weakening,lifestyle lavish,poll pacts

The document talks in detail about the wrong trends that have crept into the party rank and file over the years be it the increase in parliamentary opportunism which is also connected to the desire for acquiring more material positions and a better lifestyle or growth of individualism,careerism,factionalism,corruption and the absence of collective functioning.

It notes that while 75 per cent of the partys membership comes from the working class,poor peasants and agricultural workers,in the leading committees only around 30 per cent belong to these classes. 70 per cent come from the middle classes and other sections. This provides the basis for alien class influences, it says.

There is erosion in the primacy of the working class outlook of the party. This stems from a reformist outlook,parliamentarism and tendency to adjust to bourgeois values. There are instances of leaders decrying working class struggles and strikes. There is weakening of the links with the masses at different levels of the party.

The document identifies several wrong trends and points out the need for rectification:

•The penetration of alien bourgeois and petty bourgeois values is manifested in lavish lifestyle,building houses,which are far above the minimum needs required,spending large amounts on weddings of children,organizing festivities on a lavish scale etc. Increasingly,these are being acquiesced in and no questions are being asked within the party.

•There are examples of comrades who have acquired assets and incur expenses disproportionate to their known sources of income. People come to know when there are instances of such acquisition of assets and income beyond the means. But even when there are complaints,there is hesitation on the part of the party committees to entertain them and inquire into the matter.

•In earlier days,members of leading committees used to seek permission from the party for constructing houses,acquiring a car or other assets. This is not followed in most places now and this practice should be restored.

•In the context of parliamentary opportunism,it says the salaries and perks of MPs and MLAs are much more than what cadres can get as party functionaries,so there is hankering and desire to be in such positions. Besides,cases of comrades revolting for not being fielded as candidates in elections have grown as also the struggle to capture party committees and key positions.

•The association with bourgeois parties in electoral alliances is a source of corrosive influence. The use of money,liquor and other corrupt practices have grown… Alliances with bourgeois parties for elections leads to their methods and practices being aped by some of our candidates and party committees.

•Another manifestation of the alien outlook is the big expenses incurred on conferences of the party and mass organisations,use of big posters and cutouts of leaders and receptions involving a lot of wasteful expenditure.

•Among the new problems that have cropped up include association of party leaders and cadres in the running of NGOs. There are cases of party leaders running NGOs with no check or accountability about the funds being used and this should be prohibited.

•Where the party is strong,there are instances of vested interests trying to influence comrades. Real estate promoters,contractors and liquor contractors seek to establish connections with comrades and those working in panchayats,local bodies and elected positions. Being in state governments increases the scope for corrupt practices.

•In trade unions,there are instances of illegal collections from workers,contractors and payment received for providing employment. Within the party,some comrades have joined the ranks of the neo-rich through various enterprises and their changed outlook has had an adverse impact on the party.

•There have been cases of corruption and misuse of positions in the party and mass organisations to enrich oneself. There is reluctance or hesitation to investigate such cases which involve persons in the leadership position or those who are influential in the party.

•The tendency to collect big amounts from individuals and affluent sections,instead of mass collection,has increased especially to meet election expenses…Vigilance has to be there not to get beholden to such elements by collecting money.

•Experience shows that many party committees are not taking prompt action when complaints are received about cases of corruption or malpractices by party cadres and leaders because of various reasons like factional trends,liberalism and reluctance to antagonize important party cadre.

In the light of these facts,the CPM Central Committee has decided to set up a Central Discipline Commission to investigate complaints of corruption or violation of norms set out for communist cadres.