CPI(M) discusses expansion roadmap

Kolkata, Sep 12 (UNI) Beginning spadework for expanding the party's base, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau today discussed ways to strengthen the organisation outside West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura.

Taking stock of people's response during the party's nationwide campaign last month, the highest policy making body of the party discussed a roadmap for making inroads in six states on the first day of the two-day meeting.

Except ailing veteran Harkishan Singh Surjeet, all other Polit Bureau members, including General Secretary Prakash Karat, party patriarch Jyoti Basu, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his counterparts in Kerala and Tripura respectively Mr V Achuthanandan and Mr Manik Sarkar, were present at the meeting.

Party sources said the meeting discussed ways to sustain its new found support among the people on various issues, including employment, job and food security and welfare of the poor.

Targeting largely the farmers, unorganised workers, tribals and the economically backward people, the meeting discussed how to strengthen its presence in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar before the next Lok Sabha elections.

The issue will be discussed in the ensuing state committee meetings and the Central Committee meeting to be held in Delhi.

The CPI (M), at its party Congress last year, had resolved to reach out to a larger section of the people and strengthen its frontal organisation comprising different sections.

In the last Polit Bureau meeting the party entrusted several leaders with the responsibility for respective states.

The Polit Bureau meeting is likely to discuss the situation in the election-bound states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab and deliberate on strengthening Left unity and possibilities of forging electoral alliances.

The meeting will also take up for discussion the UPA Government's growing affinity to the US and the contentious issues, including the Indo-US nuclear agreement and the note prepared by the party countering the Tarapore Committee report recommending full convertibility of the rupee.

UNI KDG SJC YA DB2108