The CPI(M) Central Committee convened at the newly inaugurated Jyoti Basu Research Centre in Kolkata, marking the venue’s debut as a significant site for party discussions. The three-day meeting addressed critical political, social, and international issues while laying the groundwork for the upcoming 24th Party Congress in April, scheduled to be held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Key Outcomes of the Central Committee Meeting:
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Inauguration of Jyoti Basu Research Centre:
- The research center, dedicated to the legacy of the late CPI(M) stalwart, Jyoti Basu, was inaugurated during the meeting. It aims to serve as a hub for political research, documentation, and ideological training.
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Draft Political Resolution for Party Congress:
- The committee finalized the draft political resolution, which will be released on February 1 for a two-month party-wide discussion before being presented at the Congress.
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Ceasefire in Gaza:
- The party welcomed the ceasefire after 15 months of conflict, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. It called on the Indian government to play a diplomatic role in ensuring peace and advocating for Palestine's right to statehood.
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Opposition to Simultaneous Elections:
- The committee reaffirmed its strong opposition to the BJP-led government’s push for simultaneous elections, describing it as a threat to federalism and state autonomy. The party pledged to mobilize opposition forces to prevent the passage of related constitutional amendments.
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Religious Place Disputes:
- Concerns were raised over increasing legal disputes about mosque-temple sites, with the committee urging the Supreme Court to uphold and enforce the 1991 Places of Worship Act to avoid communal tensions.
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Educational Autonomy:
- The party criticized proposed UGC regulations granting governors greater power in appointing vice-chancellors for state universities. CPI(M) labeled this as an attempt to centralize education and undermine state governments, vowing to oppose it both legally and politically.
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Agricultural Marketing Policies:
- CPI(M) denounced the government’s draft policy enabling corporate control in agricultural marketing, viewing it as a backdoor reintroduction of the repealed farm laws. The party extended full support to farmer protests against the policy.
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Justice for Argikar Case:
- The committee reaffirmed its commitment to justice in the Argikar rape and murder case, criticizing delays in the legal process and pledging continued activism to ensure accountability.
Jyoti Basu Research Centre: A New Chapter for CPI(M)
The newly inaugurated research center stands as a tribute to Jyoti Basu's political legacy, symbolizing CPI(M)’s commitment to ideological enrichment and political discourse. The center will host future committee meetings and act as a resource hub for party cadres.
The Central Committee’s resolutions reflect CPI(M)’s focus on preserving federalism, resisting centralization, and addressing socio-political challenges, aligning with its broader ideological objectives.
