By IANS,
Kozhikode : In Kerala, the Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) is on a mass contact drive.
The party is organising ‘Kudumba Sangamam’ (family meet) at local committee levels across the state. It has over a thousand local committees in the state.
The meet is intended not only for the party members, but also for sympathisers and well-wishers.
Party leaders say the family meets are reporting an excellent turnout. “The meeting at Koduvalli (15 km from Kozhikode) attended by Pinarayi Vijayan (CPI-M state secretary) saw participation of over 2,000 people. This response is from an area claimed to be an UDF stronghold,” T.P. Ramakrishnan, CPI-M Kozhikode district secretary told IANS. United Democratic Front (UDF) is the state’s opposition combine led by the Congress party.
The leaders claim that the turnout at the meetings is a proof of unanimity among cadres on the policies of Kerala’s CPI-M led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
“The get-togethers were launched April 20 and the party has planned it to conclude May 20. In Kozhikode district we will have at least 144 get-togethers. It may even exceed (that number),” he added.
“The decision to organise the family meets was taken at the party state conference (held in February this year at Kottayam),” said P. Jayarajan, CPI-M’s state committee member.
The party intends to convey its stance on various issues to its members and sympathisers through these meets. Those attending the meet will also have an opportunity to clear their doubts.
“We make sure that a state committee member attends each of the family meets. The meet also features cultural and entertainment programmes by children. The function also honours children talented in various fields and also important persons in the area like freedom fighters and senior party workers.”
The meet gives an opportunity for CPI-M followers to interact with the leadership and also to connect ‘party families’ to its policies, say leaders.