CPM Set for Madurai Congress With Calls for the Deepest Introspection

Party wants to convert support it garners from mass and class agitations into electoral wins

- ANIL S @T'Puram

HAVING touched rock bottom nationally, both electorally and politically, the CPM is on a last-ditch attempt to win back its mass base. Literally shrunk to the bare minimum, the party is keen to expand its independent strength, as it gears up for its 24th Congress in Madurai from Wednesday.

Keen to emerge from the rut the largest Communist party in the country finds itself in, the CPM wants to convert the support it garners from mass and class agitations into electoral victories. "The party's current perilous situation calls for the deepest introspection in its history. The political scenario is similar to 1972, when the Communist party found itself in deep trouble," a senior leader said.