Tripura to figure prominently in CPM plenum in Kolkata

FROM A CORRESPOPNDENT

Agartala, Dec 26: Tripura is going to figure prominently in the four day plenum of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) which is going to hold at Kolkata from Sunday to determine its future political direction. Tripura’s prominence became clear when the party included the only polit bureau member from the state and Chief Minister Mr Manik Sarkar as one of its speaker in the open session at Brigade Pared ground to mark the beginning of the plenum.

This is for the first time any leader from Tripura will address a CPI (M) rally at brigade ground.

The reason behind Tripura’s prominence is that it is the only state in the country that is still ruled by the leftists. Despite fall in West Bengal and Kerala, the leftists are not only surviving in this north-eastern state but steadily improving its position.

Since long Manik Sarkar is pleading that the party should immolate Tripura’s style of functioning to expand the party base in the tiol level.  His argument had some takers in the central level but was resisted by the leaders from West Bengal. But owing to constant bloodletting in their own state the Bengal leaders themselves are now eager to know the secrets of the party’s survival in Tripura.

Party sources said the CPI (M) state secretary Bijon Dhar is carrying a report detailing the strategies the party is following in Tripura.

However, the Tripura unit of the CPI(M) will vehemently oppose any move to form alliance with Congress in West Bengal to fight Mamata Banerjee led Trimool Congress as it will be detrimental for the party here.

The state leaders apprehend if the opposition space is left vacant the BJP will take advantage and emerge strong which will be a serious threat for the party in the long run.