KOCHI: CPM state conference, which is to start in Kochi on Tuesday, will discuss the measures and tactics to increase the mass base of the party. Steps to make inroads into the minorities and other sections will be discussed at the conference.
In the assembly elections, the party and LDF could gain the confidence of almost all the sections of society, including minorities. "The LDF stand against communal ideologies of BJP and the policies taken by the NDA government at the Centre has helped the front, especially CPM, to gain the confidence of minorities. The stand taken by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders on CAA issue has been well accepted by the minorities. There should be measures to retain the support of minorities. How this target can be achieved will be discussed at the conference," sources said.
Another issue to be discussed at the conference is women empowerment within the party. "The party has already elevated more women to key positions. Women empowerment within the party should be accelerated. This is another area where the party can make inroads," sources said.
According to political analysts, CPM and LDF could gain the confidence of not only Muslims, but they could cut in to the Christian belts in central Kerala too. "It was evident in the last assembly elections. Now, there are many CPM men who are active in church activities. It is a situation which we could have thought of a few years ago," said Jacob George, political analyst.
Many people in society are the beneficiaries of welfare projects adopted by the government. Measures to draw such people close to the party should be taken. The local leaders and cadres should take efforts to rally such beneficiaries to back the party, said sources. As of now, around 54 lakh people are getting social security and welfare pensions.
The rank and file and the leaders of various constituents of UDF are already unhappy with the front's performance. Some of them have already migrated to LDF. There should be concerted efforts to woo such leaders and sections to the LDF, if they all can't join CPM, sources added.
Unlike in the past when proletariats and lower-middle class had been the backbone of the party, there is a visible change in the supporters of CPM. Many people belonging to the middle class and even upper class sympathize with the LDF government's policies. Given the fact that the focus of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government is largescale development projects, the support of the middle class and enthusiastic youth can easily be gained, expects the party leadership.
