FOR the first time the credentials of the delegates and observers attending a Party Congress were scrutinised before the commencement of the Congress. Based on this scrutiny the credentials of the comrades attending were found to be valid.

The Central Committee in its meeting held from November 3 to 5, 2024 decided on the number of delegates to attend the 24th Congress and the state-wise quota of delegates. The number of delegates was fixed at 732 delegates. However, with the death of Central Committee member, K M Tiwari, the number got reduced to 731. Subsequently, the Central Committee at its meeting on April 1, 2025 nullified the election of a delegate from the unit of Britain & Ireland. So the total number of delegates supposed to attend the 24th Congress stands at 730. Of these one Central Committee member could not attend due to illness. Of the quota of 80 observers, one observer from Chattisgarh did not attend.

This was the first time that the process of submission of the form was made online. This has also helped in speeding up the generation of the report of the Credentials Committee. This online provision has been welcomed by many delegates, though a few comrades did face hurdles initially.

Some Observations & Recommendations

1.         There has been some improvement in the gender composition as compared to the 23rd Congress. As against 106 in the last Congress, this time 120 women are attending the Congress.

2.         The number of comrades coming from dalit background has increased from 62 last time to 83 this time, while adivasi representation fell from 48 to 42. There were 60 comrades belonging to the Muslim community last time, as compared to 70 this time. We had 40 comrades who were born into Christian families last time. This time their numbers are 31.

3.         As against two delegates/observers identifying themselves as being disabled last time, this time the number has increased to ten. P Jayarajan, a delegate from Kerala became disabled consequent to an attack on him by RSS goons.

4.         The working class composition has increased from 155 last time to 174 this time. Agricultural labourers were 60 last time. This time there are 69.

5.         Peasants of all categories constitute 287 of the delegates/observers this time as against 323 last time.

6.         The middle class composition has increased from 223 in the 23rd Congress to 254 this time.

7.         As against 13 delegates/observers who were aged less than 30 last time, those in this age bracket are 11 this time.

8.         There has been a reduction in comrades above 70 who are attending this Congress as compared to the last one. There are 112 delegates/observers above 70 years this time, as compared to 125 last time.

9.         The Comments column was meant for comrades to make suggestions/recommendations about the credentials form. 113 comrades have made suggestions, which is welcome. However, except for a few the others are not concerned with credentials.

Recommendation

There is also a delegate who does not fit into the traditional understanding of relations - married/unmarried/single, since he is in a live-in relationship. It is therefore recommended that this option also be included from next time.

Suggestions have come for including the number of FIRs filed and also how to include comrades who are unattached members.

Lastly, we would like to put on record our appreciation for the comrades who designed the online portal for registering the credentials as also the comrades who have helped with processing the data.