CPM bemoans quality erosion, weakness at grassroots level

Party Congress decides to strictly adhere to 5-point criteria for membership renewal in 2026; to set in motion the rectification process to curb undesirable practices

- ANIL S @Madurai

WEAKENED grassroots, alarming dip in membership, steady erosion in quality, and gross failure in taking up people's agitations — the general discussion on the political organisational report at the CPM Party Congress on Saturday turned out to be both introspective and critical of those in the saddle.

In view of drastic quality erosion, the Party Congress has decided to strictly adhere to the five-point criteria for membership renewal in 2026. Similarly, taking into consideration certain issues related to corruption and undesirable practices, the party has decided to set in motion the rectification process, after the national conference.

Compared to the last Party Congress, enrolment has gone up by 35k-odd members on paper, but actual numbers tell a different story. While the membership was 9,85,757 in 2021, it became 10,19,009 in 2024. In Kerala, membership went up to 5,64,895 in 2024, from the earlier 5,27,174 in 2021.