CPM to plug gaps in system to fight BJP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM state leadership is undertaking a major exercise to overcome the organisational weaknesses in Thiruvananthapuram district where the BJP had been able to make a big dent in successive local bodies and Assembly polls. The party decision comes in the wake of the findings of the panel that studied in detail the reasons behind the defeat in Vattiyoorkavu constituency.

The strategy is to strengthen organisational activities in areas where the BJP managed to make inroads. The party is planning to take up daily issues of people in a big way to counter the saffron surge. Apart from holding election committees and leaders accountable for electoral lapses, the party leadership has taken serious note of the huge drop of votes in the party's traditional stronghold.  It may be recalled that BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan  had increased his party’s vote share by a whopping 30,000 votes, cutting into the votes of LDF in many areas.

The factors responsible for the shift of votes from LDF to BJP are also being examined further to overcome the shortcomings and retain the lost ground. The party concluded that the BJP had managed to successfully run its campaign in and around temples which worked to its advantage electorally. The party cadre had limitations in countering such campaign  premises because of obvious reasons.

The Marxists leadership is aware of the fact that the BJP backed by RSS' organisational strength is trying to consolidate the gains made during corporation and Assembly polls. By putting the election committee and local leaders on notice, the CPM state leadership has sent out a strong message that organisational flaws need to be rectified at the earliest.