Kozhikode (Keralam) | Senior CPI(M) leader E P Jayarajan on Monday said the party's extended state committee meeting would help correct the lapses that led to its setback in the recent assembly election and give "strength and vigour" to the Communist movement in Keralam.
The CPI(M) is holding a three-day extended state committee meeting, which began on Sunday, to examine the reasons for its defeat in the assembly polls.
Speaking to reporters here, Jayarajan said the party's documents and discussions at the meeting were "moving in the right direction".
"Certainly, this broad State Committee meeting will give more strength and vigour to the Communist movement in Keralam and to the CPI(M). This broad meeting will be able to make the party a bit more shining," he said.
Asked about demands from Kannur for major corrections, Jayarajan said the party's setback was not confined to any particular district.
"Right now, we are not here to examine the rights and wrongs of this election. The issue faced by the party in Kerala includes all districts. It is not just Kannur; we faced a setback in all districts. That setback is a general outcome," he said.
He said the extended meeting was being held as part of a broader discussion on the reasons for the unexpected election result.
"We are holding discussions across the party, listening to opinions and discussions very carefully, to gain clarity on why those setbacks happened. Once that clarity is achieved, we are holding consultations and discussions on how to correct the lapses and shortcomings," Jayarajan said.
He said that discussions and criticism were integral parts of the Communist movement.
"Inside a Communist Party, every issue in the world will be discussed. There is no other party like it in the world," he said, adding that the party discussed global developments, issues in individual countries and Indian and Keralam politics.
"A party without criticism would not be a Communist Party. And those who criticise will also engage in self-criticism. That is its special characteristic," he said.
Jayarajan said the party had already identified the reasons for the poll defeat, and they were mentioned in the documents released by the CPI(M) Central Committee.
Jayarajan said the ongoing discussions were aimed at taking the party forward and shaping its future activities.
"A thoroughly healthy, beneficial and hopeful discussion is what is taking place right now," he said.
