TN: CPI(M) State Conference Resolves to Forge Independent Strength of the Party
V B Ganesan
THE 24th State Conference of the CPI(M) Tamil Nadu resolved to work for alternative policies and actions to safeguard the interests of the working class, peasants, agricultural workers, unemployed youth, students, women, and children in the state. It also decided to strive to unite the Left parties and garnering popular support to establish the Left Democratic Front (LDF) as a guiding force.
The state conference, held in Villupuram from January 3-5, commenced with the ceremonial reception of the Red Flag march from Madurai, the venue of the previous conference, and the inauguration of an anti-fascist exhibition by senior leader TK Rangarajan on the evening of January 2.
On January 3, the conference proceedings began with cultural programmes. A Lasar formally received the Red Flag from the marchers from Madurai, and it was hoisted by veteran leader SA Perumal amid revolutionary slogans. Leaders and delegates then paid floral tributes and saluted the martyrs.
P Shanmugam presided over the inaugural session. He asserted that the Left must become a decisive force in the state. He stressed that CPI(M) Tamil Nadu will undertake struggles with unwavering determination to defend the interests of the toiling masses in the state. During the open session in the morning, U Vasuki placed the condolence resolution. Reception Committee chairman R Ramamurthy welcomed the delegates, recalling Villupuram district’s significant role in the Party’s historic journey in the state. In his presidential address,
Veteran leader S A Perumal highlighted the century-long glorious path of the Communist movement in India. He noted that the Red Flag continues to lead the fight against the miseries faced by the people and urged the next generation of activists to expand their reach and strengthen the Party's independent base.
While inaugurating the conference, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member MA Baby emphasized Tamil Nadu’s glorious history of raising the Red Flag and celebrating May Day for the first time in India in 1923 under the leadership of Singaravelar. He noted that Tamil Nadu played an important role in defeating the BJP, and weakening its strength in the parliamentary elections. He further highlighted that the BJP is systematically dismantling federalism, which is a cornerstone of the Constitution. In this challenging scenario, he stressed the need to build a strong alternative by uniting Left and democratic forces to isolate and defeat fascist elements. He expressed confidence that the Tamil Nadu state conference would develop a clear plan of action to advance this goal.
CPI state secretary R Mutharasan, while greeting the conference, recalled the glorious history of communists in Tamil Nadu. He called for the creation of a broader platform consisting of Left, democratic, patriotic, and progressive forces to defend the Constitution, democracy, and secularism. He asserted that the unity of the Left would be a decisive factor in defeating the sinister designs of the RSS-BJP.
CPI(ML-Liberation) state secretary Pazha Asaithambi underscored the importance of Left unity in the current context. He emphasized that the fight against fascist forces requires mobilising the democratic forces.
Following the open session, the presidium and various committees to conduct the conference were elected. Subsequently, Party state secretary K Balakrishnan presented the political-organisational report. This report was placed before over 600 delegates who had gathered to review past activities and formulate a plan of action for the future in Tamil Nadu. 96 delegates from various districts and organisations participating in the discussions on the report. The discussions continued until the morning of January 5, with delegates expressing their opinions and insights on the report.
In the evening, amidst a vibrant march-past of thousands of Red volunteers, a massive rally began from the conference venue, named after Sitaram Yechury, and concluded at N Sankaraiah Square near the bus stand. Thousands of comrades, primarily from nearby districts, gathered for a massive public meeting presided over by N Subramanian, Villupuram CPI(M) district secretary. During the meeting, a Tamil translation of Lenin Selected Works (12 volumes) was released by Prakash Karat, with the first copy received by Venkatesh Athreya.
In his address, Central Committee Coordinator and Polit Bureau member, Prakash Karat detailed the regressive and harmful agenda of the RSS-BJP, including its pro-corporate policies, and congratulated the state committee for strengthening the secular front in Tamil Nadu and for the decisive defeat of the BJP and its allies in the parliamentary election. He affirmed that the Party would support the DMK and its government as long as they take steps to counter the BJP’s attempts to undermine pluralism, federalism, and secularism. However, he also made it clear that the CPI(M) would strongly oppose any actions by the state government that negatively impact the rights of the working class, the livelihoods of peasants and agricultural workers, or the middle class. He cited the 38-day-long struggle of Samsung workers as an example of the Party’s commitment to such causes. Prakash Karat concluded by highlighting that the Party state conference would devise a future plan and tasks to enhance the independent strength and identity of the CPI(M) in Tamil Nadu, ensuring its continued growth and influence in the state. K Balakrishnan, K Bhalabharathi and D Ravindran, state secretariat members also addressed the gathering.
On the evening of January 4, the Tamil translation of Rita’s Education by Brinda Karat was released by AK Padmanabhan, Party Central Committee member. Tamil translation of a Bengali novel portraying the CPI(M)’s struggle against Congress-Naxalite goons in West Bengal was released by Brinda Karat, Party Polit Bureau member. A special compilation on R Umanath was also released by Prakash Karat. Following these releases, G Ramakrishnan, Polit Bureau member addressed the conference, urging the delegates to formulate a comprehensive plan of action to uphold Tamil Nadu’s legacy in building a powerful movement to defend social justice.
On January 5, after an hour of discussions by the remaining delegates, K Balakrishnan responded to the points raised during the deliberations. After his reply, the political-organisational report was unanimously adopted by the delegates. Subsequently, an 81-member state committee was elected by the delegates, with P Shanmugam, Central Committee member elected as state secretary. A 15-member state secretariat was also elected by the newly constituted state committee. 50 delegates were elected to represent Tamil Nadu at the 24th Party Congress, scheduled to be held in Madurai in April 2025.
Following these proceedings, Prakash Karat addressed the delegates. He shared that he had been attending state committee meetings and conferences for the past 30 years as part of the central leadership since his time as a member of the Central Secretariat. He noted, however, that this would be his last conference in such a capacity. Reflecting on his political journey, he expressed pride in having started his life as a communist in erstwhile Madras (Chennai), where he received his Party membership in an Auxiliary Group before advancing to Candidate Membership. He said this chapter of his life would remain etched in his memories. His speech was met with warm applause and enthusiastic slogans from the delegates.
The 24th State Conference concluded with the singing of the Internationale in Tamil.
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