CPI(M) party congress in Madurai will be politically significant, says veteran journalist N. Ram

N. Ram highlights the importance of CPI(M)’s party congress, discussing issues like Hindutva-corporate nexus and working class welfare.

“The draft political resolution of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s party congress, which notes that the Hindutva-corporate nexus displays neo-fascist characteristics, is a very important and new observation,” N. Ram, veteran journalist and Director of THG Publishing Group, said in Madurai on Tuesday.

Inaugurating exhibitions ahead of the CPI(M)’s 24th party congress (April 2 to 6) in the presence of CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat, State secretary P. Shanmugam and Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan, Mr. Ram said he believed that the various aspects of the observation would be discussed in the party congress and would create a debate among the public.

Though the Left parties seemed to be facing an electoral setback, Communists have set the agenda for discussion on several issues, Mr. Ram said.

“Some of the important issues like federalism, trade union rights, welfare schemes and issues pertaining to working class people are spoken about and raised only by the Communist parties,” he observed.

Recalling former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat’s statement that the party should display its independence even when in an alliance with others, Mr. Ram said such views were important for the party to remain distinct from the other parties.

Noting that Madurai plays an important role in the event, Mr. Ram said that next to Kolkata — which had hosted the party congress four times, Madurai stood second by hosting the national event for the third time.

“While the third congress of the Communist Party of India (CPI) was held here in 1953, CPI(M)’s ninth conference was held in 1972,” Mr. Ram recalled. The 24th congress held political significance and is much anticipated by everyone, he said.