Conceding that all is not well within the party and allegations against its members have some grounds, the CPI(M)?s draft political-organisational report, presented before the delegates in closed door session by general secretary Prakash Karat here on Monday, maintained that the revolutionary character of party had been eroded in past three years.
??The party?s revolutionary character and the maintenance of communist norms and morality must be accorded high priority. The new Central Committee must initiate a full-fledged rectification campaign at all levels in the party??, the report, a copy of which is available with FE, said.
Taking cue from West Bengal transport minister Subhash Chakrabarty’s recent assertion that he was first a Bhrahmin and then a communist, the party also came down heavily on its cadres for their love to participate in religious functions and rituals.
??Some party cadre follow caste and religious practices. Thereare complaints about some party members practicing dowry system. Some party members organize ostentatious parties in connection with birthdays, marriages, construction of new houses, etc,?? the document said.
Amidst a lot of controversies like the SNC Lavalin scam and the Deshabhimani bond controversy, the party document said: ??There are also complaints that the assets of certain party members are disproportionate to their known source of income. Party had already issued guidelines that party leaders and mass organisation leaders should submit a statement of income and assets. Though the statement of income are filed, the assessment of the statement by the appropriate party committee is not taking place.?? After the last Congress in Delhi it self, the party had said that there is an urgency in launching a rectification campaign within the party.
The document also observed that corruption had made serious inroads among the party leaders. ??The reports from different states show that disciplinary actions were taken against corrupt Party members,?? it added. ??The present situation demands stern action to curb factional tendencies. Factionalism promotes all sorts of unhealthy trends and practices within the party,?? the document said.
The Party has also expressed ?serious concern? at the persisting disunity and factional tendencies in Kerala. ??All violations of Communist norms should be pinned down and fought against. The efforts should be a continuous one,?? the document said.