By IANS,
Kozhikode : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in Kerala has taken the family route for its mass contact drive. The party is in the midst of organising ‘Kudumba Sangamam’ (family meets) at the local committee-level across the state.
The CPI-M has more than a thousand local committees in Kerala. And the family meets are not restricted to party members – they are also for sympathisers and well wishers.
Party leaders say the family meets are reporting excellent turn out.
“The meeting at Koduvalli (15 km from Kozhikode town) attended by Pinarayi Vijayan (CPI-M state secretary) saw participation of more than 2,000 people. This response is from an area claimed to be a UDF (United Democratic Front) stronghold,” T.P. Ramakrishnan, CPI-M Kozhikode district secretary told IANS.
The leaders claim that the large turnouts at the meetings are proof of the approval that the cadres have for the policies of Kerala’s CPI-M led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
“The get-togethers were launched April 20 and the party plans to conclude the programme May 20. In Kozhikode district, we will have at least 144 get-togethers,” Ramakrishnan said.
“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 will also have the opportunity to clear their doubts
“We make sure that a state committee member attends each of the family meets. The occasion also features cultural and entertainment programmes by children. The function also honours children talented in various fields as also important persons in the area like freedom fighters and senior party workers,” said Jayarajan.
The meets provide CPI-M followers the opportunity to interact with the leadership and to connect ‘party families’ to its policies, say leaders.