IN preparation for the 24th state conference of the CPI(M) scheduled for  January 29-31, 2025, the primary unit and local committee conferences have been successfully completed. Currently, the sub-divisional and district-level conferences are going on across the state.

Prior to the commencement of the primary unit conferences, a set of guidelines, based on the framework prepared by the Polit Bureau and aligned with the state’s political and organisational situation, was circulated across all levels of the Party. These guidelines cover various aspects, including the organisational preparation for conferences at each unit, the structure and content of written reports, the duration of discussions, the formation of committees, the procedure for the election of committee members if required, and the election of delegates for higher committee conferences. Directions were given to ensure the delimitation of branch and local areas, and to facilitate the merging or splitting of branches where necessary for improved organisational efficiency.

As per the schedule, conferences in 4,244 branches across the state began on  September 1, 2024 and were completed by mid-October, prior to the Sharad Festival in the state. The majority of these branch conferences were attended by 70 to 100 per cent of the members and were supervised by one or two representatives from the respective local committees. In most cases, the branch secretary presented a written report, based on which members shared their views and made suggestions to further strengthen mass contact efforts. Notably, in many branches, younger members, including women, were elected as branch secretaries.

In previous years, approximately 30 per cent of branch conferences had to be held outside the designated branch areas due to the semi-fascist terror unleashed by saffron elements. However, this year, the number of such branches has been substantially reduced, indicating a positive shift.

By now, conferences of all 309 local committees in the state and 13 out of the total 24 sub-divisional committees (SDCs) have concluded. The average attendance at these conferences across both stages ranged from 85 to 95 per cent. With the exception of a few local committees and one SDC, Dukli SDC, most of the conferences were held within their respective areas.

Several state secretariat members, including Manik Sarkar, Polit Bureau member and Jitendra Chaudhury, state secretary of the Party, have attended the SDC conferences to guide the proceedings. In their addresses, the state secretariat members emphasized the importance of strengthening the Party’s foundation, regaining the trust of the tribal communities, many of whom got disillusioned by the false promises of Tipra Motha, and establishing direct contact with people, regardless of political affiliations. Most importantly, they stressed the need for the Party to take proactive action on local issues that affect the daily lives and livelihoods of the people.

The speakers also urged Party workers to remain vigilant against parochial elements, who are working to sow communal discord and divide the working class by capitalising on developments in neighbouring Bangladesh.

The issues raised during the free and frank discussions in the delegate sessions covered a wide range of pressing concerns. One major topic was the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, which has had an adverse impact on our state, exacerbating communal tensions and targeting the Muslim community. This has led to outbreaks of communal violence in places such as Durganagar, Panisagar, and Kadamtala, where police action resulted in the tragic death of an innocent small trader. The crisis affecting the poorer sections of society, particularly in tribal areas, has deepened due to food shortages, lack of work, and soaring prices. Rampant corruption and nepotism, particularly by Mondal leaders in the mismanagement of government funds allocated for beneficiary schemes, were also highlighted. Delegates expressed concern about the duplicity of Tipra Motha, which, having become part of the anti-people ruling alliance, is now attempting to garner anti-incumbency votes by hawking the slogans of ‘Thansa’ (tribal unity) and ‘Greater Tipra Land.’

The non-performance of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), along with the siphoning of ADC funds by some Tipra Motha affiliates in the absence of elected village committees, was another crucial issue. The issue of the Pushpawanta Palace, a heritage building, earlier Governor’s House, and once intended to be a museum of tribal arts and culture by the Left Front government, also came up. The palace is now slated to be handed over to the TATA Group to operate as a five-star hotel, with the agreement reportedly finalised with the consent of Tipra Motha chief, Pradyut Kishore Debbarman. This has sparked widespread opposition, becoming an emotional issue for the tribal masses. Delegates also raised concerns about the institutionalised extortion of businesses and contractors by the ruling party’s cohorts, with disputes over shares of the extorted funds occasionally erupting into violent street battles.

Delegates emphasized that this is the right moment for our Party to intensify mass contact efforts, particularly to reach out to those who may have misunderstood us and are now regretting their past actions. They pointed out that the ‘Bike Brigade,’ the key force of the ruling BJP, is experiencing growing frustration. Many individuals who, just a year ago, confronted us with hostility are now approaching us with more respectful and polite behaviour, the delegates reported. Delegates exhorted that we summon the courage to launch movement programmes, shed the fear psychosis, and strengthen the Party organisation to make it truly revolutionary in both spirit and action.

Of the 13 SDCs where conferences have been held so far, secretaries in nine of these SDCs were replaced, mostly to comply with the Party’s three-term limit as stipulated by the Party Constitution. Committees were formed unanimously, and no elections were required.