The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo met in New Delhi on Friday to discuss the Maoist violence in Lalgarh in West Bengal, problems in the party's Kerala unit and the debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.
The party's top leaders, including the chief ministers of CPI-M-ruled states, are participating in the meeting.
"It's an election review meeting," M K Pandhe said. In the 15th Lok Sabha elections, the CPI-M put up one of its worst performances, winning just 16 seats compared to 43 in 2004 and 33 in 1999.
Asked if the Lalgarh issue would also figure in the discussions, Pandhe said, "We have to discuss that part also."
The major concern of the CPI-M leadership is to find ways to deal with the Maoist violence in Lalgarh which, the party alleges, has the support of the Trinamool Congress.
Lalgarh in West Midnapore district of West Bengal has been on the boil since last November when a landmine exploded on the route of the convoy of Chief Minister Bhattacharjee and then central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasada.
During the last few days, suspected Maoists have killed CPI-M cadres, torched their offices, driven away the party's supporters and forced police to wind up several camps, thereby establishing a zone virtually under its control.
{{/usCountry}}During the last few days, suspected Maoists have killed CPI-M cadres, torched their offices, driven away the party's supporters and forced police to wind up several camps, thereby establishing a zone virtually under its control.
{{/usCountry}}In Kerala, CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is facing prosecution by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a corruption case and the proceedings are believed to have the tacit support of Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.