Kollam: As the CPM State Conference begins in Kollam today, all eyes are on whether the party will once again appoint Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan --who led the Left Democratic Front to a historic second term in the state- -as its ‘captain’ for the next assembly election.

While the event may not address this pressing question explicitly, the conference is expected to offer key insights into the party’s stance on the matter. Speculation is also rife that, to ensure continued power, the CPM may constitute a second line of leadership, introducing vice-captains.

Although not on the official agenda, this issue is bound to surface during discussions. The meaning and implications of a recent remark by CPM State Secretary MV Govindan --that the election will be fought with "collective leadership at the forefront"-- are likely to become clearer over the course of the conference.

For Pinarayi Vijayan, who is approaching his 80s, to contest his eighth election, the party would have to relax all its existing norms for members. However, if an alternative leader is to be chosen,  Pinarayi himself will have the final say. Discussions on this matter are already active within the party’s second-tier leadership.

Another crucial issue set to dominate the conference is the fate of leaders crossing the CPM’s 75-year age limit, determining who will exit the State Committee and the Secretariat. Anxiety over this looming reshuffle was palpable during the party’s State Committee meeting held on Wednesday night.

With the leadership confirming that only Pinarayi Vijayan will be granted an exemption, nearly 15 members will have to be removed from the State Committee, marking a significant shake-up in the party’s internal hierarchy.

The party’s policy document, "New Pathways for a New Kerala," will clarify whether CPM is adopting more reformist strategies aimed at appealing to the middle class. However, it remains to be seen whether the LDF’s constituent parties, including the CPI, will support this shift. The State Conference will draw to a close on March 9.

CM to present CPM’s perspective on New Kerala
CPM National Coordinator Prakash Karat inaugurated the delegates' meeting this morning. Following the inaugural function, CPM State Secretary MV Govindan will present the functioning report of the CPM state unit.

At 4 pm, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present a key document titled "The Party’s Perspective on New Kerala." Later in the evening, delegates will engage in a group discussion on the functioning report, with deliberations set to continue tomorrow and the following day.

The conference will conclude on Sunday with the election of the new State Secretary and the State Committee.

What will be the stance on Congress?
In an article published on the eve of the CPM State Conference, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated his position, urging the conference to reject any political ties with the Congress. Delegates are now closely watching CPM National Coordinator Prakash Karat, who is inaugurating the state conference today, to see where he stands on the issue.

Karat, a key proponent of the Politburo’s stance that the BJP government is not fascist, is also expected to face scrutiny on this position. With Karat actively participating in the conference, discussions on the party’s relationship with Congress and its broader political strategy are expected to take centre stage.

A total of 530 people, including 486 delegates from various districts and 44 guests from outside the state, are attending the event.

Politburo members Brinda Karat, Subhashini Ali, B V Raghavulu, Ashok Dhawale, M A Baby, and A Vijayaraghavan are participating in the delegates' conference on all days.

The reception committee chairman and state Finance Minister K N Balagopal hoisted the party flag at Asramam Maidan on Wednesday evening. The conference is being held ahead of CPM's 24th party congress, scheduled from April 2 to 6 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Flag, torch, and flagpole processions from martyr memorials at Kayyur, Vayalar, and Sooranad converged at the public meeting venue at Asramam Maidan (Sitaram Yechury Nagar) before the flag-hoisting ceremony. This is the first time in 30 years that Kollam is hosting the party’s state conference. The last such event was held here in 1995.